Team McChord participates in GRE

by Staff Sgt. Jason Truskowski
62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs

1/21/2014 - POPE ARMY AIRFIELD, FORT BRAGG, N.C -- Deploying anywhere in the world on short notice is part of the intricate mission Airmen and Soldiers from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., train to do. Executing the mission flawlessly when the needs of the military and humanity arise is paramount. One way to perfect that skillset is by participating in realistic training exercises.

That is exactly what Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing did here, Jan. 10-20, when they integrated with multiple Army and Air Force units for a joint training exercise called Global Response Expeditor. GRE is designed to assess and strengthen the effectiveness of Army and Air Force units working and responding together to conduct joint forcible entry operations.

"GRE reinforces necessary skillsets that enable our force to accomplish this very mission if needed in a real-world situation," said Sgt. 1st Class William Epps, U.S. Army Advanced Airborne School evaluations committee instructor. "Working with Air Force units gives us the ability to not only place paratroopers on an objective, but also the equipment that is vital to the success of our mission."

The joint training incorporates the unique talents of Airmen and Soldiers and puts their skills to the test. More than 2,000 service members came together to execute this training.

"Being able to work with the Army in their environment, with their equipment, is beneficial to us," said Staff Sgt. Scott Delano, 8th Airlift Squadron loadmaster. "When we run realistic training scenarios it ensures a seamless process when it comes time to execute missions that impact lives."

Whether aircrew members are preparing for the airdrop of cargo bundles or paratroopers, one thing that remains constant is that large formation airdrop is one of the most demanding mission mobility forces perform. Synchronizing efforts through routine training among Airmen and Soldiers heightens the overall global readiness and striking ability of the military.

Approximately three months of joint planning preceded the exercise.

"Planning an exercise of this magnitude is always a team effort that requires a great deal of thought and exertion on behalf of those involved," said Capt. David Tomlinson, 8th AS pilot and lead C-17 planner for the exercise. "In the end, we all come out with a better understanding of how our joint partners operate and how the various components should come together in the event that we are required to respond to a real-world scenario."

That planning made the successful airdrop of more than 1,200 Army paratroopers and the offload of more than 120 tons of cargo possible, and required a team effort.

"Beyond the aircrew flying 5 of the 10 participating C-17s, there were maintainers guaranteeing operational aircraft, intelligence support personnel and entire team of planners," said Lt. Col. Brian Wald, 62nd Operations Group deputy commander.

Exercises such at GRE are required in order to keep the unique skillsets of Airmen and Soldiers finely honed.

"The more difficult the skill, the more perishable it is," said Wald.