Exercise preps 615th CRW for inspection, real-world missions

  • Published
  • By Capt. Paradon Silpasornprasit
  • 615th Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs
MACKALL ARMY AIRFIELD, N.C. --  Soldiers and Airmen teamed up in a simulated deployed environment at Mackall Army Airfield approximately ten miles south of Pinehurst, N.C., in support of the Army's 82nd Airborne Division's Joint Operational Access Exercise, Feb. 9 through16.

More than 100 Airmen from the 615th Contingency Response Wing traveled to the site bringing their expertise establishing a Joint Task Force - Port Opening. The Airmen partnered with more than 50 Soldiers from the 689th Rapid Port Opening Element, Fort Eustis, V.A., to sharpen their skills in airfield operations, aircraft on and offload, intergraded airbase defense and to establish a distribution node for cargo and supplies.

"This is great training and a valuable opportunity for both sides to work together and understand the joint environment," said Col. David Chandler, 570th Contingency Response Group and JTF-PO commander.

The ever-present hum of aircraft established an atmosphere of mobility on the airfield, with servicemembers loading and unloading pallets, parachuting troops drifting overhead, and aircrews arriving and departing throughout the exercise. C-17 Globemaster III and C-130 Hercules aircraft from active-duty, National Guard and Air Force Reserve filled the skies. Nearly 60 aircraft loaded and off-loaded more than 1,300 tons of passengers and cargo.

"It's key we work together on the airfield," said Maj. Ryan King, 689th Rapid Port Opening Element commander. "This makes us more effective for when we have to do it for real. Without our team effort, critical supplies don't get out to the warfighter or those who need it."

The exercise highlighted the U.S. military's capability to team-up Soldiers and Airmen to move personnel and equipment into the area of responsibility.

"We deploy in a joint and coalition capacity when events happen in the world," Chandler said. The opportunity to train and prepare our forces for that environment is priceless. Joint operations at Mackall Army Airfield included Soldiers from the 11th Transportation Battalion, Ft. Story, Va., 3rd Brigade Combat Team assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division and the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Ft. Knox, Ky.

A big part of the 615th CRW's mission is to establish airfield operations for the delivery of supplies, equipment or personnel into the heart of the operation. The wing's team of experts worked around the clock and ensured smooth delivery.

"We forward-project personnel, cargo, equipment and supplies rapidly on a global scale," Chandler said. "The contingency response forces and rapid port opening element is a unique force enabler. Whether (it is) humanitarian or contingency operations, we get the supplies and personnel delivered quickly to where they are needed most to save lives."