77th returns from Combat Hammer Published May 30, 2006 By Tech. Sgt. Kevin Williams 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 77th Fighter Squadron and 77th Aircraft Maintenance Unit returned from Combat Hammer, an exercise at Hill Air Force base, Utah, from 28 April - 12 May. “Combat Hammer is a cradle-to-grave evaluation of our war-time weapons delivering capabilities,” said Tech Sgt. Timothy Newton, 77th AMU assistant section chief, specialist section. “The cradle portion being referred to is the generation or putting together of the weapons and the grave portion is the delivery of those weapons to a chosen or specified target.” Approximately 160 Shaw personnel were sent to Hill AFB for Combat Hammer. Of those, 30 pilots were sent, Sgt. Newton said. “There was a cross-section of maintenance personnel from the 77th AMU to include aircraft maintainers and 20th Component Maintenance Squadron and Equipment Maintenance Squadron back-shop support,” Sgt. Newton said. “I can’t neglect to mention the handful of 20th Logistic Readiness Squadron folks who made sure our supply and transportation needs were handled in an expedient manner.” 1st Lt. Brian Crum, 77th FS, said the biggest challenge for the pilots was becoming proficient at their secondary mission of dropping laser guided bombs on target. Normally, Shaw’s primary F-16CJ mission is the surpression of enemy air defenses. Just like any other exercise, there was great deal of preparation that went into Combat Hammer. “Prior to our departure from Shaw and on the day of arrival at Hill, our time was spent ensuring all aircraft were mission ready,” Sgt. Newton said. “We repaired any aircraft malfunctions that occurred prior to departure and during transit to Hill. Additionally, we ensured any scheduled maintenance was accomplished for the duration of the TDY so we could focus our attention to the task at hand. We made sure the pilots had the best airworthy aircraft possible by performing preventative maintenance.” Upon arrival at Hill AFB, it was time to perform and be evaluated. They were evaluated on their ability to assemble weapons and load those weapons onto the aircraft. The pilots then had to deliver those weapons accurately onto a chosen target. After the flying missions, the maintainers had to repair any aircraft malfunctions that may have occurred during the mission and then reload the aircraft with weapons for the next round, Sgt. Newton said. “The evaluation consisted not only of weapons delivery accuracy, but the employment of safe aircraft maintenance practices and weapons handling during the reloading,” he said. “The flight-line maintenance evaluators ensured all aircraft maintenance and weapons reloading was accomplished in accordance with technical data and safety was adhered to at all times.” Throughout Combat Hammer, there were lessons learned and goals met. There was also some self-evaluating going on. “We wanted to identify any unforeseen problems that may arise prior to deploying and respond to real-world situations,” Sgt. Newton said. “Overall, we were asked to research the aircraft computer software, components, technical data and employment deficiencies to improve weapons and procedures we go to war with. “We got to actually see the employment of the weapons upon a target in real-time via live video feeds from the bombing range. It was amazing to see how the fruits of our lab could culminate in such awesome power if needed.” Overall, the units and personnel who participated in Combat Hammer came together in true Team Shaw fashion. “I got a great deal of personal satisfaction knowing that we work for a unit that can gel together to get the job done,” Sgt. Newton said. “We proved to ourselves that we can provide safe aircraft for the pilots to perform their part of the mission, and we can do things safely, correctly and expediently to ensure the air power of the United States remains superior to all others. “Since we were tasked to operate with as minimal support from the host unit as possible, the entire 20th Maintenance Group was represented. It needed to be. An incomplete or broken chain can’t drive the world class war-fighting machine that is the 20th Fighter Wing.”