HYDRA '08 makes impression

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Shaun Emery
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AFB, Calif. --  As they were airlifted from location to location, Gen. Arthur Lichte, Air Mobility Command commander and Chief Master Sgt. Joseph Barron, AMC command chief master sergeant, got an inside look at HYDRA '08 and came away impressed. 

The 615th Contingency Response Wing developed HYDRA as a comprehensive training event to enhance command, control and joint interoperability among deploying forces using realistic contingency scenarios.

All levels of the 615th Contingency Response Wing are on display during the exercise, from bare-base set up to Aero-medical evacuations and air drops. 

"Today we say AMC at its best," said Chief Barron. "The Airmen out there really make a difference, whether active or reserve. They are all working together to accomplish the mission." 

"Really it's a perfect exercise for AMC," said General Lichte. "It demonstrates the support the CRW provides and capabilities they bring to the Air Force."
General Lichte mentioned on how past events have led us to where we are today and continue to direct how the role of airlift has grown. 

"This year marks the 60th Anniversary of Berlin Airlift. There were a lot of lessons learned after that operation," he said. "All those lessons are still embedded in our Air Mobility Command. To go out and apply those lessons and show how technology can improve them is what makes exercise so important." 

With more than 1000 participants, including the entire 615th CRW, HYDRA has doubled in size since last year's exercise. This year members of the Kentucky Air National Guard, an 18th Airborne Corps engineering battalion, elements of a Marine air wing and an Air Force Red Horse combat engineering team participated, displaying the Total Force and Joint Force concepts.

"No matter what uniform you're wearing, or what service you're representing, the bottom line is getting the mission done. It was a wonderful sight to behold," said Chief Barron.

"That's the way we fight everyday, so that's the way we need to exercise," added General Lichte. "The way this was brought together is exactly the way you would find it in Iraq or Afghanistan."

General Lichte said he was also impressed with the aircrews and other units supporting the exercise.

"The Aircrews were amazingly professional," said General Lichte. "Take what they do; landing on a dirt airstrip, getting turned around, off-loading cargo and go off on another mission. It's amazing how do all of this and make it look so simple, yet so much is going. You forget how much is involved and what it takes to accomplish the mission. And it's not just the aircrews, but also the maintenance, aero-medical evacuation, and critical care teams demonstrating the full spectrum of AMC operations, airlift, and cargo." 

Chief Barron said the leadership of the CRW and Kentucky ANG was very impressive.
"It was clear to me they took care of Airmen," he said. "And you could tell the Airmen appreciated their leadership. I would just like to thank all of the men and women of Team Travis and say what an honor it was to visit the 615th CRW in action," said Chief Barron. 

"They are truly one of Air Mobility Command's 911 responders. We hope and pray we never have to call on them, but it is refreshing to know that if needed, they are trained, equipped, and prepared to go where ever and whenever our Nation needs them to. This visit has certainly proven that."