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Contingency response wing takes on Road Warrior exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Robert Hicks
  • 621st Contingency Response Wing
CAMP GUERNSEY, Wyo. --  As UH-1N Huey helicopters circle overhead patrolling the area in support of convoy operations, Airmen from the 621st Contingency Response Wing use the terrain as camouflage in preparation for an ambush to try and take a high-value asset.

The 621st CRW played the opposing force, where they acted as the enemy, for Road Warrior, a convoy security training exercise in which Airmen experience one week of tactical weapons training that included live firing, small-unit tactics and convoy force-on-force training.

The exercise evaluated the tactics, techniques, and procedures used to secure nuclear-capable weapons and critical intercontinental ballistic missile components during convoy operations and provided direct feedback to the three participating ICBM wings: the 91st Missile Wing assigned to Minot AFB, North Dakota; the 90th Missile Wing assigned to F.E. Warren AFB, Wyoming; and the 341st Missile Wing assigned to Malmstrom AFB, Montana.

The 620th Ground Combat Training Squadron, located at Camp Guernsey, Wyoming, provided the cadre, logistics and all other support functions in order to host this operation.

"In the past, we had to ask for personnel from each of the wings and also use our leftover instructors from the 620th GCTS in order to conduct the exercise," said George Bice, nuclear security trainer. "Each convoy day would have a multitude of different OPFOR, and the consistency was not there. The CRW provides the same personnel for each convoy iteration, ensuring each of our wings arriving are receiving the same OPFOR."

Bice went on to say the CRW is well rounded and experienced, and that having them participating ensures our Airmen are getting the highest quality of realism and exercise for convoy operations.

With wide-open space, the rugged Wyoming terrain and 55,000 acres to train on, Road Warrior provided CRW Airmen more than an opportunity to play OPFOR, but a chance to train on some tactics of their own that they may not be able to do at home station.

"Throughout the exercise, we're getting the opportunity to learn a lot of new tactics in convoying and defending an asset," said Master Sgt. Matthew Ogan, 921st Contingency Response Squadron force protection flight chief. "We're also using the terrain to our advantage in a way that will help us hone our skills in an austere environment, similar to what we do in the CRW when we are on a mission."

In a typical scenario, the cadre disables the payload transporter carrying the resource with a simulated improvised explosive device; this forces the Airmen to provide containment around the resource.

"Once the PT van is disabled, the defenders with the 90th Missile Wing show outstanding individual movement tactics. They work well as a team, communicate and have some of the best attitudes I have ever seen," Ogan said. "The Airmen understand we are here to play OPFOR, but they know this is also an opportunity to build upon their relationship between each other and use this exercise to our advantage and learn great new ways to defend resources that we traditionally don't use."