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Airmen, Marines join forces during week-long exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Japan-based Airmen and Marines came together this week for Exercise Beverly High 09-01, Kadena Air Base's first Local Operational Readiness Exercise of the fiscal year. 

During the exercise which began Dec. 1, 18th Wing units have been training for wartime missions under simulated combat conditions. The exercise has allowed base leadership to evaluate the capabilities of the U.S. Air Force's largest combat wing to integrate with their joint partners and execute the wing's critical wartime taskings. 

The participation of Marines from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in mainland Japan has enhanced the realism of the exercise and allowed the two services to train together like they would fight -- jointly.  About 35 aircraft and 700 Marines from Marine Aircraft Group 12 have been taking part in the training, with Marine F/A-18s and AV-8 Harriers flying alongside 18th Wing aircraft as well as flying "red air" sorties against the wing. KC-130 refueling aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma have also been participating in the exercise. 

"The Marine aircraft are providing a realistic threat replication to challenge our F-15C pilots," said Maj. Michelle Shicks, 18th Wing Weapons and Tactics officer. "They are also supporting the joint force commander's objectives by working in conjunction with the F-15s to employ air-to-ground ordnance and destroy enemy targets." 

For the Marines, the chance to integrate their air operations with the 18th Wing's has been invaluable. 

"Joint training allows us to train as we fight," said Capt. Jeff Mueller, a weapons systems training officer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242. "It also allows us to iron out our differences in training and learn from our mistakes so that we can maximize lethality in combat." 

This type of joint training opportunity is limited in Okinawa, and the both services are making the most of it. 

"This is a rare opportunity to stay in our local area and conduct joint training with an air-to-air mission happening with a simultaneous air-to-ground mission, all within the same airspace," said Maj. Shicks. "[We're able to] employ in a joint integration arena, sharing new tactics, techniques and procedures and refining current employment procedures to better prepare for combat against any enemy." 

While the flying operation has been a huge part of the exercise, every facet of the wing's wartime mission is being tested. To validate unit readiness, the 18th Wing Plans and Programs office exercises division, along with more than 300 Exercise Evaluation Team personnel, created dozens of tough but realistic wartime scenarios to test Airmen on their critical wartime skills. 

"Scenarios range from responding to an attack by a hostile nation to apprehending someone who absent-mindedly drives through one of the gates without showing an ID," said the 18th Wing Chief of Plans and Programs, Lt. Col. Steven Plank. 

Other areas of evaluation include Self Aid and Buddy Care responses to medical scenarios, ranging from loss of a limb, severe head trauma and loss of blood to mild cases of dehydration and heat exhaustion. 

"The exercise is going well," said Lt. Col. Plank. "There are a bunch of Airmen who were not here for the ORI (Operational Readiness Inspection) that are learning about the tremendous effort it takes to conduct sustained combat operations." 

The exercise also allows units to prepare for the deployment process by sending Airmen through the Installation Deployment Readiness Center where they are processed and briefed for simulated deployments to various locations around the world. 

"Training exercises like this help us put into practice the proper response procedures involved with a hostile environment," said Airman 1st Class Timothy Stencil, a tech controller with the 18th Communications Squadron. "The more we prepare at home station, the more it will become second nature to respond correctly when the time comes to perform in a real world situation." 

Airmen practice donning gas masks and other protective equipment during different alarm and Mission Oriented Protective Posture levels. They also train to follow the procedures for each specific level and practice accomplishing their mission in full MOPP gear. 

"The exercise permits training under more stressful conditions than can be achieved on a daily basis," said Lt. Col. Plank. "Additionally, it helps individuals and units gain confidence in their abilities before entering actual combat." 

18th Wing EET members observe scenarios and make on-the-spot corrections when necessary. The team compiles daily reports that focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the units they observe. The Wing Plans and Programs Flight consolidates these reports for the entire exercise. The lessons learned are then used to focus individual unit training and share best practices with other units. (Maj. John Hutcheson also contributed to this report)