15th AMOS participates in Key Resolve 2013

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Alfonso Duenez
  • 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Eleven members of the 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron stationed at Travis, participated in Exercise Key Resolve 2013 March 11 through 22, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.

The purpose of this annual exercise was to provide command and control scenarios to strengthen the skills of combined United States' and Republic of Korea's armed forces in defending the Korean Peninsula from aggression.

"The yearly exercise was also designed to focus on increasing the alliance's readiness and re-enforcing the United States' commitment to the region," said Lt. Col. Brian McCullough, 15th AMOS commander.

This year was particularly important because for the first time in 60 years, the Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff planned and led the exercise preparing them to assume operational control of forces in December of 2015.

The 15th AMOS' role during this major military exercise consisted of providing theater expertise for planning and assessing air mobility and air-to-air refueling operations for the Korean theater of operation to the 607th Air Operations Center's Air Mobility Division. Working alongside their Korean counterparts provided an opportunity for the deployed Masterminds to interact with their ROK air force Air Mobility Division and provide insight on how they conduct their operations.

Establishing a good working relationship and overcoming challenges with the ROK air force was a crucial part in meeting and exceeding exercise objectives. One of the biggest challenges was dealing with the language barrier when working alongside with the ROK air force pilots in planning and scheduling air to air refueling missions. Fortunately both sides spoke the common language of Air Force and were able to accomplish the mission.

This year's KR-13 exercise was more mobility-focused than any in the past. According to the Director of Mobility Forces for the exercise, mobility capabilities and assets were the highlight of every discussion with the Combined Forces Command and the Korean military leaderships.

"This was the greatest opportunity in years for Air Mobility Command to engage and coordinate with senior leaders in the Korean theater of operations," McCullough said. "Even with 25 percent of the normal manning, the 15th AMOS rose to the challenge."

When asked about the impact the 15th AMOS brought to Key Resolve, Lt. Col. Shad Vinson, 607th Air Mobility Division chief, said the team was invaluable.

"The support from the 15th AMOS was critical to the success of this exercise," Vinson said. "They were the sole continuity for air mobility and tanker planning in the Korean Peninsula. Without their expertise, we would not be able to meet the Air Component commander's air mobility requirements during a military conflict."

The annual exercise was a huge success for the members of the 15th AMOS. It provided realistic and robust scenarios that enabled them to work alongside the ROK air force which in turn improved ROK-United States combat readiness in the region.

"A common Korean expression and motto for this year's Key Resolve exercise was 'Katchi Kapshida,' which is Korean for 'We go together,'" said Maj. Dan Bradford, a 15th AMOS air refueling planner. "Working together during this exercise as one combined force, we definitely made our alliance stronger."