Hill AFB fighter wings test wartime skills during exercise Published June 23, 2015 By 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah (AFNS) -- Reservists from the 419th Fighter Wing and their active-duty counterparts, were recently put through rigorous tests of wartime capability during a combat readiness exercise here. Reservists in the operations and maintenance groups worked side by side with active-duty Airmen in the 388th FW to launch and recover aircraft on an accelerated schedule, similar to what they would experience in a deployed environment. Aside from the flying mission, the 419th Medical Squadron personnel responded to a simulated vehicle explosion, testing their ability to respond during a crisis, while reservists in the 419th Mission Support Group worked with their counterparts in the 75th Air Base Wing to hone the skills needed to deploy. During the exercise, Airmen donned mission-oriented protective posture gear to simulate the measures necessary to continue operations in a toxic environment. "This exercise was designed to train and test both wings' ability to deploy and execute expeditionary skill sets," said Lt. Col. Terry George, the 419th FW inspector general. "We want to verify and validate our ability to execute our wartime mission. While we always have room to improve, I'm confident that the outstanding Airmen of the 419th are more than ready to answer their nation's call when needed." The exercise took place from June 9-13.