Shaw Airmen gearing up for upcoming readiness exercise Published Feb. 3, 2010 By Staff Sgt. John Gordinier 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Shaw is kicking off a Phase I/II Exercise from Feb. 2 - 5 and Feb. 8 - 10 in order to test the 20th Fighter Wing's combat and deployment readiness capability. "The purpose of a combined Phase I/II exercise is to test the Wing's ability to deploy and employ our combat capabilities concurrently," said Master Sgt. Karl Bowlby, 20th Fighter Wing wing inspections superintendent. "The skills learned are perishable and in order to maintain our edge we must exercise those skills." Sergeant Bowlby said a Phase I is the deployment exercise to test the wing's ability to deliver assets to the requesting area of responsibility within specified time constraints. "A Phase II is an employment exercise," he explained. "The purpose is to test the wing's ability to employ our combat capabilities and survive/operate in a wartime environment." During the Phase II, many different scenarios and simulations occur to test the wing's responses and measures. The scenarios are only known by those who are inspecting the wing's responses, which is the exercise evaluation team. In order for Airmen to be better prepared for the exercise, Sergeant Bowlby has a friendly reminder for those Airmen who are participating in the exercise. "Think safety," he said. "This is an exercise. Although we want everyone to display a sense of urgency, we do not want them to put themselves or their wingman at risk. Also, Airmen need to remember to wear their reflective belts when playing." Airmen must remember to be familiar with their respective surroundings; who should be there and what should be there, he said. Also, during the exercise, remember to report all suspicious personnel and items to your respective unit control center.