188th Wing engineers train 567th RED HORSE Reservists

by Airman 1st Class Cody Martin
188th Wing Public Affairs

11/20/2014 - FORT SMITH, Ark. -- Cooperation between active Air Force, the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve creates a Total Force Concept that helps make the U.S. Air Force dominant. The ability to deploy and train together enhances versatility and efficiency within the Air Force. This concept was put into action when the 188th Civil Engineering Squadron hosted Air Force Reservists from the 567th Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer Squadron. The 188th CES afforded the 567th RED HORSE with a number of sundry training opportunities.

"This is a very diverse group of people," said Major Christopher Stanmire, 567th RED HORSE Squadron operations officer. "We have six members of the 4th Civil Engineering Squadron as well as personnel from the 560th and 583rd RHS, and with the 188th this is definitely a Total Force operation."

The 567th RED HORSE Squadron is a 209-person mobile squadron capable of rapid response and independent operations in remote, high-threat environments worldwide. It was established on Nov. 1, 2008, at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.

On Oct. 29, the advanced party, or ADVON, arrived at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The ADVON was the first team involved in a three-part process that provided initial planning and set up for the exercise.

"The ADVON team goes in first," Stanmire said. "They ensure everything is ready for the reception of the main body. Then you have your first echelon called the hub which sets up the main operating base. We also can deploy a second echelon called the spoke."

Every 15 months, members of RED HORSE squadrons have to train on a number of field training requirements, including expedient airfield crater repair operations, tent erection, defensive fighting positions and field messing. With these requirements in mind, leadership from the 567th RHS selected Ebbing Air National Guard Base as the place to receive their training.

"We chose this place because we don't have heavy equipment at home station and we have the opportunity to do airfield damage repair," Stanmire said. "They have outstanding venues to use heavy equipment and to train on airfield damage repair. Everything else we can get in other places, but we are hoping to get hands-on training on equipment and resources we don't have at home station."

The 188th Wing not only provided the locale, but also provided support in a number of additional ways.

"We're proud of the hard work our Airmen are doing to ensure visiting units complete all their training objectives," said Col. Mark Anderson, 188th Wing commander. "That's a testament to the outstanding men and women we have in this wing. They go above and beyond to complete the mission and I'm honored to serve as their commander."

The 188th CES provided opportunities on field training requirements and the 188th Security Forces Squadron provided contingency skills training. The 188th Force Support Squadron and the 188th Logistics Readiness Squadron provided additional assistance during the field training exercise, as well as providing physical training testing and career development course testing.

"We are very impressed with the hospitality and the availability of the equipment," said Chief Master Sgt. John Meadows, 576th RHS airfield chief superintendent. "They've just opened the doors and welcomed us as one of theirs. We really appreciate that."

The 567th RHS successfully completed all of their training objectives as well as completed a few small troop training projects. In the future, the 567th will look to return to Ebbing ANGB when they need further training.

"Fort Smith will definitely be among the top choices when we start looking for a training site for our next FTX," Stanmire said. "We are extremely thankful for the 188th's assistance, professionalism and hospitality."