Thunderbolts perform well in exercise

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Bryan Bouchard
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. - --  Thunderbolts at Luke conducted an exercise Nov. 5 through 9, and wing inspector general officials were pleased with the results.

"We hold exercises at least quarterly to ensure Luke Airmen are ready to deploy, and to make sure that base agencies are operating efficiently to get them out the door," said Master Sgt. Russell Fowler from the 56th Fighter Wing inspector general's office. "This exercise went well, but there's always room for improvement."

Although Luke's next command-level readiness inspection is many months away, the wing continues to prepare mission-ready warfighters to fill deployment requirements worldwide. Last week the deployment processing and Ability to Survive and Operate exercise took on a much more detailed and intense approach. This new concept was implemented to mirror what we can anticipate during the operational readiness inspection and to test our Airmen on a broader scope.

The Airmen were tested on the contents of their Airmen's Manuals as well as their procedures for, during and following an attack. Communication was key during this exercise, Sergeant Fowler added. While he said this was to be expected in some situations, it's good for people to realize that communication is important and can be hindered during the "fog of war." Overall though, Sergeant Fowler said the efforts of units on base as well as the deployed Airmen were realized this go-around with discrepancies being down from pervious exercises.

"We are also looking at trends that some squadrons are habitually making during the deployment process," he said.

In addition to the deployment exercise, the wing engaged in a personnel recall, which calls in Airmen from the base during non-duty hours to test responsiveness. The wing also held a conventional weapons major accident response exercise and an anti-hijacking exercise as well as flight line and gate security evaluations, which allowed for nearly every unit in the wing to be involved somehow in the exercise.

"People were more prepared this time around," Sergeant Fowler said. "These exercises aren't solely about passing, failing or scores; it's about making sure every Thunderbolt is ready to react and deploy when it's time."