Dynamic Weasel sharpens combat skills
By Tarsha Storey, 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
/ Published December 02, 2005
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFPN) -- Exercise Operation Dynamic Weasel begins here today to hone the skills Airmen need for combat deployments.
The exercise will sharpen tactics, techniques and procedural skills while practicing for combat situations, said Maj. Anthony Roberson, the 20th Operations Support Squadron director of operations.
He said the exercise will simulate combat operations in Southwest Asia.
Dynamic Weasel will test the abilities of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-15 Strike Eagle, E-3 Sentry, RC-135 Rivet Joint and KC-10 Extender aircraft in a diverse threat environment.
The participating aircraft are nine Air Force and Air National Guard bases.
"This exercise will test and further develop our abilities as fighters and Airmen, by placing our force within a simulated dynamic combat situation,” said Col. Bill Hyatt, the 20th Fighter Wing commander. “It will also allow us to integrate operations and apply technology to war fighting."
During the exercise, Major Roberson said there will be a unique Link-16 large-force employment involving all the aircraft. The Link-16 is a tactical digital information link integrated in the F-16. This will be the first time a B-2 participates in a Link-16 exercise, he said.
The exercise will also be the first operational evaluation of the Fighter Aircraft Command and Control Enhancement pods on Block 50 F-16s.
The pods allow beyond-the-line-of-sight communications using a satellite phone, a receiver and transmitter, said Capt. Tim Sehnem, the support squadron’s counter-land programs chief.
During the exercise, multiple units will engage with aircraft, while other Shaw squadrons provide support. The air operations center, air support operations center and the airborne command and control will also participate.
Major Roberson said the simulated threat environment will include not only Shaw's airspace, but also the Poinsett Electronic Combat and Gunnery Ranges, the Gamecock and Bulldog Military Operations Areas and refueling tracks in over-water and over-land airspaces.
(Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)