554th RHS opens PACAF Silver Flag exercise site

by Staff Sgt. Robert Hicks
36th Wing Public Affairs

10/20/2014 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam  -- The 554th RED HORSE Squadron Detachment One opened the Pacific Air Force's Silver Flag exercise site Oct. 15 at Northwest Field, Guam, after two years of preparation.

Silver Flag, previously known as "Commando Prime," was originally established in 1985 and located at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. The program moved to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in 1989 and concluded their final Silver Flag in May 2013.

The first course in over a year and a half consists of 111 Airmen from bases around the Pacific. The eight-day course is specifically designed for civil engineer and force support Airmen.

"The civil engineer and force support communities have created the Silver Flag training platform to provide expeditionary skills training for those Airmen to improve their ability to go downrange and support the war effort," said Maj. Kevin Mares, 554th RED HORSE Squadron Det. 1 commander.

The expeditionary training is designed to setup operations at bare-base locations and features bed down planning, base recovery, command and control and, airfield recovery. Silver Flag also teaches a variety of specialty training to include crane operations, setup of aircraft arresting barriers and lighting, generator installation and maintenance and fire rescue technician training for more than 1,200 Airmen each year, according to 554th RHS planners.

"We want to get the Airmen comfortable and confident using the equipment so when they get downrange they can be effective and perform the job to the best of their ability," said Master Sgt. Thomas Tyson, 554th RED HORSE Squadron Det. 1 facility superintendent.

Upon completion, the new site will consist of 18 facilities, a 60 acre training area and a 5,000' by 145' feet training runway.

"Moving Det. 1 to Guam, from Kadena Air Base, Japan, completes a significant milestone in the buildup of the Pacific Air Forces Regional Training Center and further enhances the expeditionary combat skills capability of our Airmen and our joint regional partners that is integral to the strategic rebalance to the Pacific," said Col. Tyrell Chamberlin, 36th Wing vice commander.