Louisiana Air Guard prepares for real-world war mission

By Senior Airman Rosie Stahl
Louisiana National Guard

(2/3/10) -- The Louisiana National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing will participate in a three-day operational readiness exercise this week. It is the fourth exercise in a year's length to prepare for an inspection by the Air Combat Command in April. The exercise takes place here at Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base, where a section of the base has been transformed to simulate a war in Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, with 800 members for the Air Expeditionary Wing actively participating in the deployment.

Members of other bases volunteer in the exercise as inspectors to evaluate different facets of the Wing including operations, aircraft maintenance, munitions, security, network defenses and more.

Simulated scenarios are practiced throughout the war days while members strive to function efficiently in their area of expertise. Examples of these scenarios include compromising of intelligence, communication difficulties, bomb threats, chemical attacks, handling improvised explosive devices and media inquiries.

One of the mission critical functions is ensuring jets have a successful flight. On day one, the Maintenance Group was busy on the flight line preparing for jets to take off and responding to exercise injects at the same time.

Master Sgt. Brian Krail provided guidance while his team was removing a tank and conducting an after-fire inspection. "We are having a technical expenditure. After we ensure there are no leaks, we will place the tank back after an extra maintenance check, and we will get the jet up in the air."

At another jet, Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Turminello and Tech. Sgt. Bertrand Woods assisted with troubleshooting an electrical trap within a transfer pump. "We have to work together to check the different relays and see where the problem is," said Turminello. Distractions are expected to happen. Attack warning signals occur throughout the war days and aircraft maintenance personnel are required to ensure tools and jets are properly covered to avoid chemical contamination during the attacks.

Tech. Sgt. Aaron Baltimore said that when alarm red or black occurs, signaling an attack by air or ground forces, flight line members take immediate cover and assume the proper postures including donning gas masks and protective gloves.

Louisiana Air Guardsmen will continue to train and prepare for the final inspection. The wing aims for a grade of "outstanding" in April.