Exercises prepare Airmen for deployment Published March 24, 2005 By 1st Lt. Sarah Small Air and Space Expeditionary Force Center Public Affairs LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- The Air and Space Expeditionary Force Center here nominates sourcing for about 38 exercises each year so Airmen can exercise their deployment capabilities before actually deploying, officials said.Exercises provide a realistic contingency environment to familiarize combat operation forces and expeditionary combat support forces with capabilities needed in executing an assigned mission.“Airmen need to understand that there is the possibility of supporting both deployments and exercises during their AEF deployment window,” said Mary Olson, AEF Force Scheduling Analyst. "They may be called upon to support exercises prior to the deployment window to prepare for the deployment."Commander support for these exercises is important to provide the most mission-ready Airmen to the combatant commander in theater.“Exercises give warfighters and planners a chance to work together before deploying. They help refine and maintain our Airmen’s abilities and preparedness for actual deployments. Not only does it gauge their readiness capabilities, it helps strengthen weak areas before their deployment,“ Ms. Olson said.For example, some expeditionary combat support Airmen, such as civil engineers or communications specialists, may be tasked to attend Eagle Flag, an exercise that simulates opening and establishing an air base to initial operating capability, officials said. . The goal is for Airmen to have the opportunity to hone these skills at Eagle Flag before their actual deployments. Scheduling Eagle Flag exercises several times a year and aligning them with the AEF cycle allows Airmen to train with the support forces they may be working with upon arrival in the area of responsibility, officials said.On the other hand, an F-15 Eagle unit may end up deploying to Bright Star during their AEF cycle instead of supporting a forward combat mission. Airmen deployed to Bright Star would plan and execute a multinational exercise that enhances preparedness for coalition warfare, officials said. It includes the full spectrum of military activities to include air, ground, Special Forces, Naval and amphibious operations. Pilots have the opportunity during Bright Star to practice working in a multinational environment very similar to what they face at the deployed AEF locations, so their arrival in the AOR is not a new and unfamiliar situation, officials said.Both of these exercises are examples of how "we train like we fight and fight like we train,” officials said. Fully supporting these exercises ensures Airmen are trained, equipped and prepared to meet the needs of the combatant commander.