MHAFB essential to multinational warfare training

by Tech. Sgt. JT May III
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/24/2014 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Imagine being trapped behind enemy lines in hostile territory with nowhere to go. The intelligence briefs about the threats in the area begin to resonate in your mind. The enemy is rapidly approaching your position, and your intestinal fortitude is tested. As you prepare for the worst, your military training and mental checklist become second nature to survival.

When all hope is lost, a joint force consisting of U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and the British Army converges on the enemy's location. The enemy is met with an array of airstrikes from F-15E Strike Eagles from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho and Marine UH-1Y Venom helicopters from Camp Pendleton, Calif. Air Force combat controllers and British Army forward air controllers call in the air and ground support. Joint forces establish a perimeter and ensure the targets are decimated; the enemy is demoralized and defeated.

This is just one of the scenarios that played out on the bombing ranges near MHAFB at the Gunfighter Flag 14-2 military exercise March 10-14.

The exercise was conducted for five days and featured 20 different day and night scenarios. The airspace was divided into four different areas of operations. As the week progressed, scenarios became more challenging. Surface-to-air-missile sites operated, while enemy fighters launched to intercept friendly fighters.

The objective of GF 14-2 was to employ various fixed and rotary wing assets for close air support for ground troops.

"We're never going to go to the battlefield as just the British Army, it's always going to be hand in hand with other forces," said Lt. Will Goodwin, British Army forward air controller. "Being able to train with the U.S. Air Force will help us develop our skills so we can work in a harmonious way."

The exercise was designed to prepare multiple joint and coalition terminal attack controller teams for upcoming deployments as well as provide proficiency training for aircrews.

"This exercise epitomizes what we do at MHAFB," said Col. Byron Anderson, 366th Fighter Wing vice commander. "We train combat-ready Airmen to deploy anywhere at any time and provide precision air power to our joint and coalition partners."

The joint training that Mountain Home AFB provided was pivotal to everyone involved.

"Gunfighter Flag is crucial to what we do because the unique ranges offers increased maneuverability, less restrictions and an optimal training environment," said an Air Force combat controller. "The exercise allows us to work with various airframes for calling in airstrikes, and creates combat experiences that will carry over in hostile environments."

Most units that train here have a great chance of facing real life threats from future adversaries so training for warfare is paramount.

"Gunfighter Flag is important because it provides the most realistic training possible, we prepare our aviators and ground combat teams for future real world operations," said Capt. Dale Wood, 366th Operation Support Squadron chief of air to ground tactics. "Most of the lessons learned here save lives in real combat."