Combat comm Airmen hone skills in field training

Staff Sgt. Jason Garbarino prepares to assault after insurgents gained entry onto their exercise base in Bitburg, Germany. This field training teaches members of the 1st Combat Communication team how to handle war-like situations in a training environment. Sergeant Garbarino is a 1st CC maintainer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jeremy Hostetter)

Combat comm Airmen hone skills in field training

Staff Sgt. Leslie Jimerson calls out approaching locals during a field training exercise in Bitburg, Germany. Different scenarios were thrown at the 1st Combat Communications team to ensure they understood and applied the knowledge needed to handle noncompliant individuals downrange. Sergeant Jimerson is a 1st CC technical controller. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jeremy Hostetter)Hostetter.)

Combat comm Airmen hone skills in field training

Tech. Sgt. Jamal Williams completes a search on an insurgent during a field training exercise in Bitburg, Germany. This exercise provides Airmen with hands-on experience before ever coming into contact with real-world scenarios. Sergeant Williams is a 1st CC meteorological navigational systems maintainer. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jeremy Hostetter)

Combat comm Airmen hone skills in field training

Published April 17, 2007
By Airman 1st Class Mara Title
Det. 4, Air Force News Agency

BITBURG, Germany (AFNEWS) -- The 1st Combat Communication Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, recently trained in a field near Bitburg, Germany, where they dealt with hostile conditions simulating a deployed environment. The comm squadron has several field training sessions throughout each year, with both classroom and field components, and is open to any Airman who wants additional training before heading downrange.

Instead of maintaining a network on a host base, combat communicators practice to go to the field, to bring telephone and network capabilities directly to Airmen.

"It's a pretty unique job we do here. And there's only a few combat comm's in the active duty sector, so not a lot of folks get this opportunity," said Senior Master Sgt. Brad Baker, the squadron's first sergeant.

As part of the training, troops encountered psychological warfare scenarios, comprised of blaring speakers with simulated laughter, and yelling, violent protestors. It was pivotal that the Airmen participating keep their composure, to carry out the orders their commanders had given them. In addition, troops built tents, learned more about self-aid and buddy care, and different types of team movements.

"You learn so many things going through the classroom, and then putting it out here to work...it's definitely a learning environment that you grow from, and I think the training is all things pertinent to the military, and is necessary," said 2nd Lt. Shari Gaines, of manpower personnel.

Sergeant Baker agreed.

"This is a good preparation," he said. "It's better than stepping from your desk, and into the sand box, or into a deployed environment, without any kind of training."

Although Lieutenant Gaines normally sits behind a desk, the warfighter in her came out during training.

"You learn to push past your limitations to keep going, especially if you're in command, you don't want to be the weakest link in your team," she said.

Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link)

Click here to view the comments/letters page

Combat comm Airmen hone skills in field training

Combat comm Airmen hone skills in field training

Combat comm Airmen hone skills in field training

Featured News