Joint Base Langley-Eustis
12/20/2012 - Langley Air Force Base, Va. -- Langley Air Force Base units from the 633rd Air Base Wing, along with the 1st and 192nd Fighter Wings conducted an exercise, Dec. 11 through 14. to improve the base's preparedness to deploy and operate from a forward base while providing combat air power in a contested, degraded operational environment.
The first operational phase of this combined unit exercise tested Airmen's ability to successfully process and deploy large groups of people to various simulated locations around the world.
Deployment
by Airman 1st Class R. Alex Durbin
The exercise kicked off with a simulated-mass deployment of Airmen and cargo to an expeditionary environment. Nearly 400 personnel received deployment orders Dec. 11, starting a chain reaction of activity. Within 24 hours, those personnel and 300 tons of cargo deployed to an expeditionary environment, simulating a mass deployment.
"The main intent of the first phase of the exercise showed we could get our Airmen and cargo to a deployed environment in a moment's notice," said Capt. Kady Pauley, 633rd Force Support Squadron military personnel section chief.
Airmen in Phase I participated in a processing simulation that mimicked what they would encounter in an actual rapid-deployment situation.
During the line processing, those deploying attended briefings, were checked for deployment eligibility and were issued required equipment. Also, Airmen checked all cargo, and organized and prepared it to be transported to the expeditionary location.
Pauley reminded Airmen of the importance of ensuring all training certificates are in order at all times.
"All Airmen need to be ready to deploy at any time," said Pauley. "If you aren't prepared, the only person you hurt is your Wingman."
With the Airmen on their way to the simulated-expeditionary environment at Raptor Town, Langley, the next phase of the CUE began. Officials tasked Airmen with establishing a working base in a foreign environment, which could include treating and possible saving the lives of critically-injured Service members.
Employment
by Airman 1st Class Austin Harvill
After deploying and employing Airmen at Raptor Town, the core of the mission changed to executing and sustaining the Air Force mission in a deployed location.
At the 633rd Communications Squadron Unit Control Center, 2nd Lt. Keisha Salandy, 633rd CS UCC flight chief during the exercise, primed her squadron for success - despite the complications of the simulated deployed environment.
"Our goal was to maintain continuity of our systems," said Salandy. "We needed to keep phone, radio and internet communication running non-stop so other units could accomplish their goals."
Salandy said the 633rd CS accomplished that mission without fail. After setting up the communications at Raptor Town, multiple calls came in to fix faulty equipment or other issues with the network.
Most communication problems arose from the specific phone lines assigned to the huts initially and similar problems with connection ports and cables. However, the newly implemented Secret Internet Protocol Router network quickly became a priority for the team. The command and control aspect of the mission relies heavily on SIPR network access to allow a free-flow of classified, detailed information to pass from in-the-field personnel to their respective command sections
After the hectic night fixing connections and maintaining the new SIPR network, Salandy said no complaints were sent to the communication focal point. To Salandy, zero complaints relates to a professional workforce.
Another challenge issued to the communication team came in the form of faulty equipment. Without being able to acquire new equipment, the team either had to create new equipment, such as cables, or share important information points.
After the 633rd Security Forces Squadron lost the ability to access the SIPR network, it was the communication team's mission to get security forces back online. Without access to another router, the team could not replace the 633rd SFS's faulty router. In typical deployment fashion, the 633rd CS delegated an information point within their structure to the 633rd SFS when necessary, which prevented security forces from losing access to a critical network.
Time and again, Salandy learned adaptability was the key to successfully completing the exercise. For her personally, having a team with a good attitude was the real backbone of the exercise.
"I felt like the camaraderie between the troops was great," said Salandy. "It was amazing to see how they worked with, and overcame, the obstacles in their paths."
Survive
by Staff Sgt. Katie Garr Ward
As I entered the tent, my eyes darted frantically, trying to comprehend what was going on. A mortar attack had just struck the base. Medical personnel rushed people in on stretchers - wounds and burns covered their arms and faces. The personnel hurriedly moved throughout the tent, bumping into me as they tried to tend to the wounded as quickly as possible.
The piercing screams of those in pain overpowered the voices of medics and doctors. I felt a sudden sense of panic, in awe of the scene unfolding before my eyes.
I had to remind myself that this was just part of the CUE. Exercises such as the CUE are designed to train and prepare Airmen to deploy and operate in hostile environments. For medical personnel, the deployed mission is critical.
In the midst of the chaos in the medical tent, Staff Sgt. John Wendell, 633rd Medical Supply Squadron logistics technician, explained the importance of the medical mission.
"We triage patients, specify the severity of their injuries in order to treat them and prepare them for air evacuation if necessary," said Wendell, as he spoke loudly over the multitude of voices. "If they have minor injuries, we want to get them back to fighting condition, or get them stabilized until they can get to a more advanced facility for further treatment if the injuries are severe."
As a logistics technician, Wendell said the medical supply mission plays an important role not just at a home station, but especially in an expeditionary environment.
"We procure vital supplies and equipment necessary for the doctors and technicians throughout the rest of the hospital to properly perform their jobs," said Wendell. "These exercises provide a great opportunity for Air Force members to exhibit the reason we all joined the military."
While in this simulated-deployed environment, medical personnel took on many different roles. Tech Sgt. Damian Sharpe, 633rd Medical Operations Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of element two of primary care, played the role of chief of medical security during the CUE.
"It's important to make sure the medical personnel are safe," said Sharpe. "Downrange, it can mean life or death if you don't properly account for patients as they come in."
That concept became a startling reality for Sharpe during one of his deployments to Afghanistan. His job there was to cut clothes off of patients in order put leads on them. When an Afghan patient came in, Sharpe discovered something in his garments that shook him to the core.
"There was a grenade in his pocket. If he had been conscious enough to pull it, it would've taken out an intensive care unit, nurses and technicians," said Sharpe. "I will never forget that. It was really eye-opening and showed the importance of security."
Having been deployed four times, Sharpe said exercises like the CUE prepare personnel for what to expect downrange.
"This is as close to the real world as you can get here," he said. "It gives you a really good idea of what to expect.
As I looked around the tent, the panic I felt earlier had subsided. The injured were no longer crying out for help, and the activity had slowed to normal operations. Even though this was an exercise, it was clear that in the aftermath of the attack, medical personnel had successfully accomplished their mission - saving the lives of fellow Airmen.
From this response by medical personnel, as well as other, aspects of CUE employment, came the framework necessary to survive in this hostile location.
As the sun set on the CUE, Airmen from the 633rd CS and every other squadron were able to remove their mission-oriented protective posture gear, knowing they were vastly more prepared to handle deployment to hostile locations and employment of expeditionary missions.
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