Airmen and Soldiers participate in joint combat scenarios

by Senior Airman Kristin High
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

6/30/2014 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Green Flag East provides unique training opportunities for the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., which trains soldiers in highly realistic combat environments. It is controlled by the 548th Combat Training Squadron, which is headquartered at Fort Polk and has a detachment here.

Green Flag East is one of two U.S. locations in charge of training and continuing the development of simulated combat operations held between Barksdale and Fort Polk, La., to employ close air support and hone communication between air and ground forces.

For the past few weeks, approximately 210 Airmen and 12 F-15E Strike Eagles from the 336th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., traveled to Barksdale to participate in Green Flag East, which took place June 8- 24.

"Green Flag East is a great exercise for the Air Force and Army to work together as a joint force," said 2nd Lt. Bethany Gross, Assistant Officer-In-Charge, 336th AMU. "Essentially, we're prepping for an upcoming deployment by practicing and simulating live-fire to support the troops on the ground and working on our communication skills with them as well."

The integration of Army and Air Force assets is vital to the overall mission, she added. While the Army trains at Ft. Polk, our F-15E Strike Eagles fly down to provide air support for these combat scenarios.

During Green Flag East, 150 Airmen from the maintenance side helped to keep the aircrafts going throughout the sorties.

"We are the eyes on the flightline," said Staff Sgt. Cory Prater, 336th AMU F-15E Strike Eagles dedicated crew chief. "My biggest job during Green Flag is keeping the jet flying. We have accessories such as bombs and pods to help with the guys on the ground but if the jets are not flying, there's nothing you can do to support them."

Everyone plays an important role throughout the exercise, he said. During the mission, the Soldiers communicate where and when to drop bombs, the Airmen drop the bombs.

"Overall, integrating with the other services effectively utilizes our resources," he said. "Participating in Green Flag East brings us together to develop skills we use during the fight."

During the exercise, 218 sorties were successfully accomplished, simulating the elimination of 20 tanks and 46 threatening personnel.

The overall mission effectiveness was flawless during this exercise, Prater added.

The efforts were recognized with more than 25 top and superior performers.