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Shaw Weasels stay ready with Phase I

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Destinee Sweeney
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The 20th Fighter Wing stood up a pre-deployment line during a Ready Weasel Phase I exercise at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, Feb. 3, which is scheduled to continue until Feb. 8.

Pre-deployment lines help maintain individual deployment readiness by providing an avenue for Airmen to understand how a potential deployment works and what they need to out-process from their home station.

“We’re doing this exercise to get ready to deploy so that, if we have to, we’ll all be prepared and know exactly what to do so in a moment’s notice we’re good to go downrange,” said Airman 1st Class Eric Petersohn, 20th Component Maintenance Squadron egress technician and exercise player.

During the exercise, participants ensured they had the necessary paperwork, equipment and personal bag items. They also had a chance to speak with and receive briefs from various agencies such as the 20th Comptroller Squadron finance office and the 20th FW legal office, to confirm their affairs were in order prior to deployment.

“It’s good practice to check to make sure people have everything before they deploy, that they have family care plans and their virtual record of emergency data is updated because we don’t want to send them downrange without good updated information,” said 2nd Lt. Tressa Clement, PDF line officer in charge.

Clement said Phase I exercises allow individuals who may not have everything they need an opportunity to correct any discrepancies prior to actually deploying.

The 20th FW periodically participates in exercises to maintain unit combat readiness, familiarize Airmen with the deployment process and avert any potential errors. By preparing ahead, 20th FW Airmen ensure they will be ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.