Airmen complete realistic deployment exercise

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Heather Stanton
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFPN) --  Airmen here completed a Phase I and II combined exercise May 11 after two weeks of realistic combat training.

The wing simulated deploying the F-117A Nighthawk, along with assets from across the wing to a forward operating base in Iraq.

To replicate the experience of deploying, assets from the base were set up from where more than 250 Airmen would eat, sleep, clean and work. Residents of  "tent city" reacted to simulated mortar and chemical attacks.

"We set out to take our Airmen out of their comfort zone and replicate a combat environment," said Brig. Gen. David Goldfein, the 49th Fighter Wing commander. "Based on what I saw, the reactions and expressions of the Airmen regarding the air and ground attacks were very real."

The experience of those recently deployed was heavily relied upon to add to the realism. Soldiers from Fort Bliss, Texas, also trained with various 49th Fighter Wing units, sharing their expertise.

"The scenarios made you feel like you were really deployed," said Airman 1st Class Cass Vaughn, a 49th Aeromedical Dental Squadron public health technician.

Young Airmen, especially, benefited from the training.

"This was a great learning experience," said Airman 1st Class Jaclyn Sisk, a 49th Medical Operations Squadron medical technician. "I now have a better respect for the people serving overseas."

One major change for experienced Air Force members was new terminology. What was formerly the battle staff is now the installation command center, for instance.

"Learning the new ICC and (unit control center) process and learning to interact between the units was a good experience for all," said Lt. Col. Paul Driver, the 49th Fighter Wing director of staff.

General Goldfein said this exercise set the stage to do it bigger next time.

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