Article Display

'Exercise, exercise, exercise'

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. John Gordinier
  • 20th Fighter Wing
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  With alarm sirens blaring, diving for cover and donning MOPP gear, Airmen prepped themselves for real-world deployment around the globe by playing in a Phase II exercise known as Operational Readiness Exercise Sea Lion 08-08 from June 24 - 27.

Air Force operations tempo is increasing and more Airmen are deploying and more often. Keeping them vigilant and focused is the goal at Shaw.

The exercise did not kick off until late in the evening June 25, however, most utilized the day before to sharpen and hone skill sets in hopes of exercise perfection.

More than 150 Airmen attended a post attack reconnaissance sweep training class, which teaches them on how to conduct building sweeps after an attack as well as what to look for and what to take with them.

Senior Airman James Owen, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron, stressed the importance of the four Rs while teaching the class.

When performing a PAR sweep Airmen are looking for things like unexploded ordnance and injured personnel who need help, Airman Owen said. When doing the sweep, Airmen need to always remember to recognize; then record, retreat and finally report.

Airmen also learned what contaminated M8 and M9 tape looks like.

"Contamination will show very tiny specs or dots of color on the tape and the color represents the type of contamination," Airman Owen said.

After learning PAR sweeps in a classroom environment, Airmen went outside in 95 degree heat and put on their chemical warfare gear to practice PAR sweeps around the building.

Airmen also practiced going through the simulated decontamination process throughout the day as well. They would get into their chemical warfare gear and pretend to be contaminated from chemical weapons.

Other Airmen practiced bug-out procedures and getting in and out of MOPP gear.

"During the exercise, I saw very motivated Airmen and they stepped up to the challenge," said Mr. James Allen, 20th FW deputy chief of wing plans and inspections. "Even with the extreme heat, Airmen worked hard and diligently."

Although the overall exercise grade has not been figured, Mr. Allen said the 20th FW will more than likely come out of it with an 'Excellent.'

Even with an 'excellent,' there is plenty of room for improvement for future exercises, he said.

"We are not where we want to be, but we are making progress," Mr. Allen said. "The key to success is standardization and getting everyone marching in one step. That way, no matter what unit you belong to, everyone within the 20th FW is doing it the same way."

"I am extremely proud of the men and woman of the 20th FW and team Shaw," said Col. James Post, 20th FW commander. "They have no doubt proven the Air Force motto of 'Above All' and it's something they epitomize."