Minnesota Guard weather flight conducts joint training exercise

By Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Jessica Reller

Minnesota National Guard

STILLWATER, Minn. (4/25/12) -- In rainy conditions, the Minnesota National Guard’s 208th Weather Flight, 133rd Airlift Wing, conducted a joint field training exercise with Marines at William H. O'Brien State Park April 13 to15.

Sixteen Guard members, along with three Marines from the Marine Wing Support Squadron 471 U.S. Naval- Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center Minneapolis, participated in valuable hands-on training. The purpose of the training was to keep the Airmen in the flight familiar with field conditions. The flight primarily provides support for the Army which, if deployed, may establish a forward operating base.

Members of the unit used their skills in tactical weather observations, self-aid buddy care, identification of improvised explosive devises and unexploded ordinances along with enemy detainment during their seven mile land navigation course.

This course was designed by Air Force Master Sgt. Kyle Mack and Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua Uhl.

More training took place in their weather forecasting tent back at camp. Throughout the weekend, the team practiced how to continue their job during different mission oriented protective posture levels in case of an attack.

Marine Cpl. Kyle Morman was not new to working with the 208th Weather Flight, but this was his first off-site field training exercise with them. He said that he was excited to be working alongside the Air Force and out in the field,

“For weather, we get better training just coming over dealing with the Air Force because they are more equipped with support,” Morman said.

The Airmen and Marines were able to enjoy a hot meal despite the cold and rainy weather thanks to Mack. “I wanted to build the guys' morale even though that's not always how it is in the real world,” he said as he prepared pancakes and bacon for their Saturday morning breakfast.