621st CRW Airmen, 690th RPOE fine-tune skills at Eagle Flag

Published March 25, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Gustavo Gonzalez
621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Approximately 120 members from the 621st Contingency Response Wing stationed at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and fifty 690th Rapid Port Opening Element Soldiers from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., sharpened their Joint Task Force-Port Opening skills during Exercise Eagle Flag 13-1 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakhurst, N.J., March 8 through15.

The Airmen and Soldiers supported regional stability operations in the fictitious country of Sillem. The units operated out of the fictitious Kingdom of Nessor at the request of the Nessorian government and worked closely with local authorities to provide support for ongoing operations. The joint task force was tasked to open an aerial port of debarkation and forward distribution node to establish theater logistics flow in support of the coalition in counter terrorism operations.

"It's important to have this training because we don't get this type of opportunity very often," said Maj. Barry Nichols, 571st Global Mobility Squadron commander. "Coming to JB MDL to exercise with the Army in a simulated deployed environment provides us greater opportunities that we wouldn't get otherwise."

Eagle Flag is an Air Force Chief of Staff directed recurring exercise that is executed by the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center. The exercise is mandated to test and rehearse the Expeditionary Combat Support capabilities the Air Force provides to combatant commanders during humanitarian operations and other contingencies. Lessons learned during Eagle Flag are used to develop tactics, techniques and procedures for expeditionary combat support Airmen.

"There is nothing that simulates the importance and the competence of a JTF-PO," said Maj. Keith Pruett, 690th Rapid Port Opening Element commander. "This is the only platform that currently allows us to replicate the stress, environment, cargo and the real world conditions that come with living in the field."

The Airmen and Soldiers not only dealt with the pressures and stress of the exercise scenarios, but were also dealt a hand by Mother Nature. During the week, temperatures averaged in the mid 30's to low 40's with some rainfall and snow showers. Dealing with adverse weather conditions didn't keep the team from completing its mission.

According to Nichols, working with the Army was an excellent experience.

"Working with our Army brothers from the 690th RPOE really allows us the opportunity to fine-tune our mission of deploying versatile mobility Airmen disciplined to solve problems in complex environments."

"You can always tell the measure of a person's character," Pruett said. "But you really don't know how strong that character is until it's been tested. Seeing how the Airmen and Soldiers were tested and performed this week, helps me sleep at night."

Exercise Eagle Flag, a validation event, is a biennial requirement and is the contingency response groups' equivalent of an Operational Readiness Inspection.

The JTF-PO commander echoed Pruett's comments and said the JTF-PO Airmen and Soldiers who participated in this exercise met all U.S. Transportation Command verification requirements.

"You all did an outstanding job," said Col. Mitchel Monroe, 571st Contingency Response Group commander and JTF-PO commander. "What we did this week during Eagle Flag is amazing and, if we get the call, we will make that mission happen exactly as advertised. You have proven yourselves this week."