Base to participate in exercise July 15, 16

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Derek Dill
  • 354th Fighter Wing Inspector General
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The 354th Fighter Wing will engage in a part-task training events July 15 and 16 in support of Exercise ARCTIC GOLD 08-06. This will not be a standard operational readiness exercise.

The exercise has been designed to focus on key areas that will permit training of selected augmentee duty teams as well as preparation for a full-scale ORE which is scheduled for Aug. 4 to 8. Furthermore, the July event's unique design also serves to deconflict with other ongoing activities vital to Eielson operations.

Team training for the wing's ready augmentees will occur July 15 and target the Search and Recovery Team as well as the Cargo Deployment Function Team. Search and Recovery Team training is scheduled to occur in the grassy and wooded area near the intersection of North Street and French Creek Road. Cargo Deployment Function Team training will occur at the Joint Mobility Complex.

On July 16, efforts will focus on execution of an Ability to Survive and Operate task evaluation. This event will occur in "Husky Kennels" 7-10 (formerly known as "Hawg Pens" that were used to house the A-10s). Participants will process through nine stations intended to evaluate performance of critical wartime functions associated with a forward operating environment.

All personnel scheduled to participate in team training and ATSO task evaluation events will be notified through their respective chains of command and receive additional reporting instructions at that time. Those who are not tasked to participate or to provide official support of these events are asked to remain clear of these areas while the events are ongoing unless their official duties require otherwise.

Impacts to the base populace are anticipated to be minimal. However, the benefits to those involved are expected to be significant. Many thanks are offered by base leadership in advance to those who will participate as well as to the many who have been involved in planning and preparing for these events.