Combat Support Training Ranges improve deployment readiness Published Aug. 12, 2024 SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – Members from the 12th Air Task Force A-Staff, headquartered here, attended a workshop recently that focused on the development of Combat Support Training Ranges at Tyndall AFB, Florida, and Fort Bliss, Texas. Members from the 12th Air Task Force A-Staff attend a workshop focused on the development of Combat Support Training Ranges at Tyndall AFB, July 22, 2024. Combat Support Training Ranges, or CSTRs, are intended to provide physical locations to conduct cross-functional unit training, core capability assessments, mission rehearsal and advanced exercises.(Courtesy Photo by 12th Air Task Force) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The workshop was sponsored by the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, and the 12th ATF was joined by the 12th Combat Air Base Squadron’s leadership team along with personnel from Headquarters Air Force, Air Mobility Command, and several other ATFs and CABS while at Tyndall AFB. Combat Support Training Ranges, or CSTRs, are intended to provide physical locations to conduct cross-functional unit training, core capability assessments, mission rehearsal and advanced exercises. CSTR sites will play a crucial role in helping the Air Force, the ATFs and their corresponding CABS train and certify for future deployments. Members from the 12th Air Task Force A-Staff attend a workshop focused on the development of Combat Support Training Ranges at Tyndall AFB, July 22, 2024. Combat Support Training Ranges, or CSTRs, are intended to provide physical locations to conduct cross-functional unit training, core capability assessments, mission rehearsal and advanced exercises.(Courtesy Photo by 12th Air Task Force) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res AFIMSC began developing CSTR sites in 2023 and is aggressively working to establish up to 12 fully capable sites over the next few years, said Lt. Col. Ross Dotzlaf, AFIMSC force generation integration and readiness chief. “As these sites come online, they will be able to satisfy the need for units to train on the tactics, techniques and procedures needed for the high-end flight,” he said. “To accomplish this goal, the sites will offer austere training environments and come equipped with low-density, high-demand training assets.” Members from the 12th Air Task Force A-Staff attend a workshop focused on the development of Combat Support Training Ranges at Tyndall AFB, July 22, 2024. Combat Support Training Ranges, or CSTRs, are intended to provide physical locations to conduct cross-functional unit training, core capability assessments, mission rehearsal and advanced exercises.(Courtesy Photo by 12th Air Task Force) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The 12th ATF is responsible for ensuring that Combat Service Support Team Airmen from Barksdale, Little Rock and Scott are prepared and certified to deploy in fiscal year 2026. Col Gabe Arrington, 12th ATF commander, said “The 12th ATF’s mission is to be the Air Force’s ready Unit of Action for competition and combat. The CSTRs optimize our Airmen to be Mission Ready for combat effectiveness through deliberate preparedness by the ATF A-Staffs, CABS, and IMSC. Our collective efforts build a combat-focused mentality, which will better inform Air Force senior leaders on how to best organize, train, and equip future deployment efforts. It’s an honor to be a part this pathfinding endeavor.” Members from the 12th Air Task Force A-Staff attend a workshop focused on the development of Combat Support Training Ranges at Tyndall AFB, July 22, 2024. Combat Support Training Ranges, or CSTRs, are intended to provide physical locations to conduct cross-functional unit training, core capability assessments, mission rehearsal and advanced exercises.(Courtesy Photo by 12th Air Task Force) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res