Angel Thunder 2010 kicks off

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jennifer Pearson
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) --  Exercise Angel Thunder 2010, an Air Combat Command-sponsored combat search and rescue and medical evacuation exercise, kicked off here April 13.

The two-week exercise is in its fourth year and provides tactical-level opportunities for more than 1,200 ground, air and support U.S. and international participants and more than 50 aircraft to engage in a variety of personnel recovery scenarios.

"The focused personnel recovery exercise provides additional training to prepare combat Air Force assets for upcoming (air expeditionary force) deployments," said Col. Billy Thompson, the Angel Thunder exercise director.

Personnel recovery is an Air Force core function that incorporates combat search and rescue and medical evacuation.

Angel Thunder is the premier personnel recovery exercise in the world, Colonel Thompson said.

"Angel Thunder helps to improve interoperability between the total force, different services, interagency and different nations," he said.

Angel Thunder reinforces personnel recovery engagement through security cooperation and building partnership capabilities. 

"It is important to provide an educational environment enabling all at participants to gain a broader understanding of military, interagency and international capabilities," Colonel Thompson said.

A final objective for the Angel Thunder participants is to take what is learned and experienced during the two weeks and apply it in a deployed environment.