Icemen train for mass deployment

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nora Anton
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Icemen geared up for a simulated contingency during an operational readiness exercise here March 6 to 9. A base-wide recall and 24-hour operations set the tone for the exercise scenario - mass deployment to a simulated hot spot in the Pacific theater.
Eielson Airmen swiftly gathered all mission essential supplies and equipment and deployed to the simulated war zone combat-ready. Tim Donovan, 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron contingency plans and training flight chief, said that a myriad of details go into making the deployment machine function properly.

He said that training is always the key ingredient to ensuring the wing's readiness to deploy.

"Much detail is put into consideration for both personnel and equipment that deploy," Mr. Donovan said. "It is wise for members to stay on top of their deployment training and personal data. For equipment, personnel need to ensure the equipment is in deployable condition, all packing/load lists, hazardous and shippers' declarations are properly prepared."

The 354th Fighter Wing partnered with its sister unit, the 168th Air Refueling Wing, to accomplish exercise mission objectives. 

"As a result of the joint exercise, the majority of the Eielson team was impacted," said Lt. Col. Derek Dill, 354th FW Inspector General. "While some areas are more affected than others, every unit does its share to make these exercises valuable and ensuring that we're constantly prepared." 

Maj. Stephanie Rowland, 168th Air Refueling Wing Inspector General said OREs assist both the wings in more ways than one.

"Joint training provides us the ability to focus on common missions and processes to improve our efficiency and effectiveness," Major Rowland said. "It also allows both wings to experience a sense of realism, as each organizations mission supports the other."

Colonel Dill said OREs serve two primary purposes--training and validation.

"These exercises provide Team Eielson with large-scale training opportunities with respect to critical war-time functions and processes," he said. "They permit validation of our reported war-time capabilities as well as provide the opportunity to physically demonstrate that these capabilities are being accurately reported."

Colonel Dill added that the exercises provide real-world scenarios that test the wing on several different criteria and facilitate identification of key strengths as well as areas for potential improvement.

"We document strengths as well as areas that can be improved," he said. "It is quite common for exercise reports to contain both, which will also be the case for Exercise GOLDEN RAVEN 08-02."

A formal report on Exercise GOLDEN RAVEN 08-02 will be completed and disseminated to wing leadership at the end of March. A detailed, final report is scheduled to be published in April.