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McConnell completes global response exercise

  • Published
  • By Airman Armando A. Schwier-Morale
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELLL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Airmen at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., participated in a Global Response Exercise June 22-28 testing the installation's ability to rapidly deploy and sustain operations from a remote location.

The exercise was a U.S. Strategic Command-lead exercise performed along with other Air Mobility Command bases. According to AMC officials, the exercise provided training opportunities to hone the proficiency of all USSTRATCOM forces in a realistic and dynamic environment. As a result, AMC air refueling resources played a vital role in this exercise.

"As the Air Force's premier tanker wing, [the] 22nd Air Refueling Wing provides a large portion of USSTRATCOM's air refueling resources," said Capt. Leah Vanagas, 22nd ARW wing inspections chief.
The wing practiced by "deploying" aircraft, personnel and equipment to a forward location to provide air refueling assets to the combatant commander. McConnell processed 94 personnel, generated four KC-135 Stratotankers with four other tankers supporting the exercise, and processed 13.5 tons of cargo.

The wing commander said he is satisfied with his unit's performance.

"I've seen a great effort in our [exercise] this week," said Col. Jamie Crowhurst, 22nd ARW commander. "That deployment process took a concerted effort across the wing and I really appreciate everyone coming together to make it happen."

The chief of wing inspections echoed the commander's satisfaction.

"The [processing line] went extremely well after it was stood up," said Captain Vanagas. "The wing continues to fine-tune the process with every exercise."

As with any exercise, Captain Vanagas said there are always lessons to be learned.

"We learned some valuable lessons in terms of incorporating all generation aspects of the wing in order to deploy rapidly and employ forces at a forward location," said Captain Vanagas. "The wing will forward some of the lessons learned to AMC for other units to implement. This exercise will also allow us to be better trained and equipped for a real-world scenario."

This exercise was one step in a series of steps preparing McConnell for the October 2011 Operational Readiness Inspection.