573rd GSS takes part in recent exercise

  • Published
  • By Capt. Joseph Lippe
  • 573rd Global Support Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Exercise Joint Fortune 2008 was recently conducted from Jan. 21 through 25, exercising all aspects of Command and Control.

The 573rd Global Support Squadron sent a 45-member contingency response element and 15-member contingency response team to Naval Air Station Fallon, Nev., to receive C-130 Hercules from both the 146th Air Wing Channel Islands Air National Guard and the 152nd Air Wing Reno Air National Guard.

Following set-up of all communication and support equipment, the exercise kicked-off with the CRT recovering a two-ship of C-130s from Channel Islands Air National Guard.

The entire exercise was developed to simulate a realistic training scenario establishing air base operations to provide critical war-fighting supplies to combat forces while operating in a forward-deployed location.

Operations included the support of six C-130's allowing for multiple training opportunities for all exercise players with an emphasis on night vision goggle training.

In addition, aircrew members performed combat offloads and worked in concert with contingency response wing ramp coordinator and aerial porters to facilitate numerous engine running on-loads and off-loads while using night vision goggles. The aerial porters were able to implement the tools and procedures to rapidly onload and unload combat support aircraft under the cover of darkness.

This exercise also allowed for team building, the development of leadership skills with the integration of six separate participating units and bridged relationship gaps between units to allow for continued future operations at NAS Fallon.

"Valuable events like Joint Fortune provide all our Airmen with realistic training venues to build their mobility skills," said Lt. Col. Wayne Murrietta, 573rd GSS operations officer. "This prepares them to employ Contingency Response capabilities anywhere in the world with warfighter precision. Outstanding support from our Air Reserve Command partners prove vital to keeping our teams trained and ready."