Demonstration showcases advantages of a joint base

by Air Force Staff Sgt. Blake Mize
JBER Public Affairs

7/31/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHRDSON, Alaska -- "JBER" has become part of the common vernacular around Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and the surrounding communities, but when you stop to think about what the letters of the acronym actually mean, the term takes on a much deeper significance.
Elmendorf Air Force Base and Fort Richardson each boasted a rich history within the fabric of our military's past. When the two installations combined forces in 2010 to form one of the United States' first true joint bases, the accompanying capabilities composed a war-fighting and defense machine.

Those capabilities were on display July 26 and 27 at JBER's Arctic Thunder Open House 2014 during the joint forces demonstration portion of the event.

"The training displayed a show of capability and force that demonstrated to the public the multi-dynamic assets, capabilities and ability of both the Army's forces and Air Forces' forces to work collectively to accomplish a mission," said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Lambeth, platoon sergeant of 3rd Platoon, Delaware Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry.

The demonstrations showcased many of the primary operators stationed at JBER, said Air Force Lt. Col. Shawn Anger, 3rd Operations Group deputy commander and mission director of the demonstrations. First, 50 paratroopers simulated a combat insertion wearing full combat gear by dropping out of a C-17 Globemaster III at 1,000 feet above the field. Once they landed, they established a fighting position, where they received support from an air assault unit that arrived via a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Together, these units suppressed and eventually captured their objective, a group of opposing forces. About this time, F-22 Raptors took off to protect the airfield from notional aircraft taking off from a hostile airfield nearby. They circled over the field to provide air superiority for the operation. To reinforce the ground forces, a C-17 landed and delivered two Humvees armed with .50-caliber machine guns. Lastly, the UH-60s returned with a sling-loaded M119 105-mm howitzer to provide even more suppressive fire. Once the area was secured, the F-22s were released from the area and the Soldiers crossed the airfield to interact with the crowd.

"These capabilities are provided from our nation's treasure, the taxes our spectators pay each and every day," Anger said. "We have a responsibility to be good stewards of these resources and demonstrate to the public that we have not squandered their hard-earned money and are deserving of their trust. Our nation's citizens have very high confidence in our military. This does not happen by luck, but through execution of professional demonstrations such as this one that give Americans the confidence that they are protected 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."

"It showcased many different capabilities that the Army and Air Force have in their arsenal," Lambeth said. "It provided the public with a glimpse of what our operations and training entail and should give them comfort and peace of mind knowing that rough men stand ready to visit violence on those that threaten our nation's security, way of life or interests."

Anger said JBER is uniquely qualified to perform demonstrations such as these because of the units assigned to the base. For the Army, the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment (paratroopers), the 1-501st Infantry (air assault element) and the 1st Battalion, 207th Aviation Regiment (UH -60s) participated in the demonstrations. The 517th Airlift Squadron (C-17) and the 90th and 525th Fighter Squadrons (F-22s) represented the Air Force. These and many other units all call JBER home.

"As one of only a handful of joint bases worldwide, we [the Air Force and the Army] have the unique ability to train side-by-side on a daily basis, enhancing our ability to execute our missions together in very real combat situations such as in Iraq or Afghanistan," he said.
Lambeth said he agreed.

"The Army and Air Force routinely work with each other to accomplish similar missions," Lambeth said. "The fact that this is a joint base, and that the 4-25th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) is an airborne-capable unit, means that mutual cooperation is not only crucial and beneficial, but symbiotic as both forces work collectively to protect the Pacific region."

Anger also said that although these were only exercises, the capabilities displayed are very real.

"I think what is important to note is the demonstration our spectators will see is not performed by Hollywood actors," he said. "These are sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers of average Americans who at some point in their life decided to do something very important. Although they may make it look easy at the open house, the training it takes to execute these types of missions and the deployment sacrifices these Soldiers and Airman have made since 9/11 are absolutely remarkable. We are extremely fortunate to live in a community where our countrymen understand this and support our mission the way they do. Thank you, Alaska for all your support."