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Scott uses exercise to train for deployments

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Kelly-Woodward
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The 375th Airlift Wing initiated a mobility exercise March 17-19 to practice deploying combat-ready Airmen to a forward location. 

More 300 airman got their bags ready to go while the 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 375th Military Personnel Flight worked to get them processed and where they needed to be. 

"The point of this exercise was to test our mobility capability - to see how fast we can notify someone about a deployment, prepare them for a deployment and refresh their war skills and ability to survive and operate in a deployed environment," said Lt. Col. Jimmie Meek, 375th Airlift Wing deputy exercise evaluation team chief. 

The first step for the travelling Airmen was the 375th LRS building where they processed through a mobility line. Everything was consolidated into a one-stop shop to make the process more time efficient. 

"The mobility line gives the deployers an understanding of what's expected and that they need to keep their records up to date," said Senior Master Sgt. Ricki Hennington, 375th MPF superintendent. 

"This exercise benefits the deployers the most, but it also benefits the people involved of the process because they get the exposure for what could happen if this were a real world situation," he added. 

After going through the mobility line, the Airmen were brought to a simulated deployed environment where they put their skills of self-aid buddy care, post-attack recovery procedures, steps to follow in the event of an unexploded ordinance found, how to engage in combat arms effectively, how to go through a decontamination line and how to prepare living quarters in a deployed location to use. 

"We created a realistic training environment that did not just teach them things that they already know, but fine tuned them as well," said Master Sgt. Mark Major, 375th Medical Group Independent Duty Medical Technician program manager. "We could teach this in a classroom, but it's not as effective as going into the field. This way they see how they will actually use the skills in a deployed environment." 

This exercise is just one of many to come in preparation for the Operational Readiness Inspection in March 2010. Three exercises will include Airmen flying to Michigan and Mississippi to further enhance their training and better prepare Airmen for deployments.

Tech. Sgt. David DeRemer and Airman 1st Class Benjamin Burk contributed to this article