USAFE members deploy to Eagle Flag

  • Published
  • By Capt. Phillip Ulmer
  • 435th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
NAVAL AIR AND ENGINEERING STATION LAKEHURST, N.J. (AFPN) --  More than 100 Airmen from U. S. Air Forces Europe deployed to a fictional country July 23 as part of the Air Mobility Warfare Center’s Eagle Flag exercise.

The Airmen joined more than 200 others from bases worldwide for the 10-day exercise here.

Eagle Flag is an Air Mobility Command program designed to evaluate how Airmen deploy to austere locations, perform bare-base and airfield set up and prepare for sustained operations.

“This is a bare-base deployment at its best,” said Col. Mike Lewis from the 86th Airlift Wing’s air and space communications group at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

Colonel Lewis serves as the group commander for the exercise.

“Everything here, from the planning and implementation to the perimeter and tents has to be established and built from the ground up,” he said.

The exercise scenario involves Airmen deploying to a bare base in a friendly fictional country called Chimaera; however, terrorists within the area threaten stability within the region. The 421st Expeditionary Air Group’s mission, Operation Noble Scorpion, is to set up a base and establish a working airfield that will be used to help deter, disrupt and defeat the terrorist activities.

Starting from the ground, Airmen dodged severe weather rolling through the area as they pitched tents throughout their first night at the austere location.

“I’ve seen a lot of teamwork tonight,” said Master Sgt. Rob McNatt, first sergeant for the deployed group.

“At first it looked like we were going to get pretty wet,” said Sergeant McNatt, who back home is the first sergeant for Ramstein’s 435th Vehicle Readiness Squadron. “But everyone … worked hard to make sure we had somewhere dry to sleep.”

After the initial sprint to get the base set up, the camp focused on security, sustainment and the mission of establishing the base for flight operations.

“This is the first time I’ve deployed,” said Airman 1st Class Monica Cripe, from the 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron at Spangdahlem AB, Germany. “I learned a lot about the Air Force and what goes into setting up the base. It’s not as easy as it looks, but this is what I joined the Air Force for.”

Despite the weather, long hours and the challenges, the 421st AEG persevered. Through the initial chaos and confusion, 24 hours later a base stood where there was once an empty field. Airmen who had never met were working in concert, side-by-side, to ensure the security of the base and the completion of the mission.

“This has been a seamless integration of USAFE folks from around the command, projecting combat power where it’s needed,” Colonel Lewis said. “I’ve seen them at their best, and I’m convinced these brave Airmen are ready for any challenge and any deployment thrown their way.” (Courtesy of USAFE News Service)