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Phase II to start Monday

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 20th Fighter Wing will participate in a Phase II exercise starting Monday evening.

The goal of the exercise is to improve on areas addressed during the last Phase II held in November.

The main objective in this exercise is to help improve the flow of information.

Information from the bottom up needs to be faster and clearer, so the commander can give the needed orders for any situation, said Lt. Col. Miles deMayo, 20th Fighter Wing Plans and Inspections chief.

Everyone can help by using the S-A-L-U-T-E method and reporting this information in a timely manner to their unit control center, said Lt. Col. deMayo.

S-A-L-U-T-E stands for size, activity, location, unit, time and equipment.

Once the unit control center has received the information, the center can then provide it to the survival recovery center located in the command post. The center gives the commander the knowledge he needs to make a timely decision on what to do in that area or for the entire base, said Lt. Col. deMayo.

An Airman can help the wing perform better at this Phase II by knowing what to do in certain situations.

"Everyone needs to know what sector they are in, and where the transition areas are for other zones if they are traveling. We often operate in split MOPPs (mission oriented protective posture), so it is vital to know if you are entering a zone that is in a different MOPP or alarm level," he said.

One area the wing improved on during the last Phase II was a timely reaction after the attack is over. When released, sweeps need to be conducted and reported up the chain of command immediately for the MOPP and alarm levels to reduce in a timely manner. Upon the first positive indication of chemical agents or an unexploded ordinance, call it in and continue the sweep, said Lt. Col. deMayo.

"After the attack is over, it's very important that we take our blinders off when we are doing the sweeps. If you see a person on the ground, take the time to perform self-aid and buddy care. This is the time to get it right," he said.

“While it is important to practice the best we can, safety is our No. 1 priority. Let’s make this Phase II a safe and successful one,” said Col. Bill Hyatt, 20th FW commander.