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Mobility Airmen participate in joint special ops exercise

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Tim Chacon
  • 62nd Airlfit Wing
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Starting at Pope Army Air Field, North Carolina, and ending at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, Airmen from the 62nd Airlift Wing at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, participated in a training exercise sponsored by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command May 2-3, 2016.

Three 62nd AW aircrews flying C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assisted in inserting more than 350 paratroopers from Fort Bragg's 82nd Airborne Division over a training area in Texas to simulate how a joint force would infiltrate and seize an airfield in hostile territory.

"This type of training is very realistic of how we would [enter] into a contested area with enemy close by so the troops can secure the airfield for future operations," said Capt. John Shaw, 62nd AW C-17 pilot. "This is about getting a small combat package into a secure area for more troops and cargo later on."

Along with the three 62nd AW C-17s from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, there were three C-17's from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, and one from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. C-130 Hercules, a KC-135 Stratotanker, a B-1 Lancer and a Navy EA-18G Growler were also integrated in with the C-17s.

"It doesn't really get more complex than what we are doing here," said Col. David Owens, 62nd Operations Group commander. "We had close-air support integration, bomber integration, mixed formation with the C-130s--there is really nothing else we could add."

Although the plan for the exercise was complex and the timeline for the aircrews was compressed, the exercise was successful.

"It went very well. We were able to get all of the jumpers on the drop zone and they were able to complete their objectives," said Shaw. "The crews were able to a take 95 percent solution [from the mission planning cell] and execute it safely and accurately."

The aircrews are well trained in flying responsibilities. The part that requires the most attention is the integration of Army needs, said Shaw.

"Our biggest concern was limited time to mission plan," said Shaw. "It is difficult to properly inject Army needs and give them what they want in the amount of time we had."

Considering that communication can be a big challenge, the 62nd AW aircrews have a leg up in bridging the gap and understanding the needs of their Army brethren.

"We really benefit from having the Army right next to us [on JBLM]," said Shaw. "They can come over for mission planning, and we can communicate face-to-face about what they want and how we can or cannot provide that."

The window of time to get all the Soldiers out in time and to land of target is often very small.

This was the first airdrop of personnel for Airman 1st Class Jeremy Kosick, 8th Airlift Squadron loadmaster.

"It was exciting--almost to an overwhelming point," said Kosick. "There was so many moving parts. It was fun. I wish there was more of it."

There has been, and will continue to be, an increase in these type of exercises for both the 62nd AW and the rest of Air Mobility Command, according to Owens.

"McChord will conduct one major exercise a month," said Owens.  "The airdrop business has picked up in a big way all across AMC. There is a lot of fantastic training going on and [the crews'] proficiency is going to go through the roof."