Kadena Airmen, iron deploy to Guam for Valiant Shield

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Lakisha Croley
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
The air is rife with jet fumes, sweat and the sounds of more than 600 Kadena Airmen making preparations for exercise Valiant Shield held at Andersen Air Base, Guam, Sept. 7-31.

Thirteen tankers, three AWACS, eighteen F-15 aircraft, and supporting units that participate, play a critical role in the biannual exercise that demonstrates the U.S military's combined ability to conduct the mission efficiently and effectively in a deployed setting.

"The 44th Fighter Squadron and 67th Fighter Squadron provide the majority of blue air (friendly forces) for the Air Force," said Maj. Steven Marshall, the wing project officer for this operation. "In addition the AWACS from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron are critical to controlling the fight for both blue and red (simulated enemy) while they hone their defensive tactics, techniques, and procedures in conjunction with other Air Force and Navy air craft."

The 909th also plays a very pivotal role in providing five of the thirteen tankers, which is a third of the overall tanker support. The 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron will provide one of the three AWACS participating in the exercise.

On the ground, 18th Wing personnel ranging from air traffic control, to logistics, medical and communications make the mission happen. Some 200 maintainers from the 44th FS, 67th FS, 909th ARS, and the 961st AACS will be working 24-7 to keep the aircraft in the air and the ops tempo up.

As the units head downrange to validate tactics and procedures, the units at home will be validating their deployment procedures.

The 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron has been working in conjunction with the 18th Medical Group and the 733rd Air Mobility Squadron to use this exercise as a means to sharpen their operational edge. It will test each unit capabilities both here at home station and downrange.

Though the impact of the overall mission on the home station will limit the unit's flexibility, the remaining personnel will meet these small challenges head-on with tenacity and a can-do-attitude, according to Major Marshall.

The integrated joint training between U.S. military forces for Valiant Shield will facilitate real-world adeptness in supporting joint forces to detect, locate, track and engage units in the sea, air and land in response to a variety of mission sections.

(Editor's note: Kadena journalists will be providing coverage of the exercise beginning Sept. 13.)