Airmen from the 111th Attack Wing of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard conducted a readiness exercise as part of an extended drill at Biddle Air National Guard Base from September 15-17. The purpose of the exercise was to test the airmen’s ability to support pre-deployment and post-deployment operations.
The drill is one of two significant events that will put the wing through its paces this year; the other will be an examination of the capstone in December.
During the exercise, each group and squadron was given the task of performing its responsibilities while being observed and graded by the wing inspection team and the inspector general of the 111th ATKW. They reacted to simulated crises and hostile activity both at their home station and in a scenario in which they were deployed.
Col. Deane Thomey, commander of the 111th ATKW, was quoted as saying, “I can’t express properly how impressed I was with the robustness and rigorousness of the exercise that the IG put together and the great work they did to coordinate it all with our WIT team.” “I can’t express properly how impressed I was with the robustness and rigorousness of the exercise that the IG put together.”
While Airmen dealt with simulated emergencies, units from throughout the wing worked carefully to put up base services from scratch. In essence, they established a completely working deployment site with communications, tents, and entrance control points.
The 111th Airborne Tactical Support Wing (ATKW) carried out its pre-deployment tasks in the home station scenario. This ensured that all Airmen had the necessary equipment before being deployed.
“I observed everyone with wonderful attitudes, engaged and pleased to be part of this exercise,” Thomey said.
Various potential outcomes were considered, such as civilian demonstrators breaking through the gates, natural catastrophes, chemical assaults, fatalities, and sightings of drones.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Steven Good, who serves as the inspector general for the 111th ATKW, “The 111th ATKW performed an exceptional job performing this exercise.” “An exercise of this kind, scope, or size has not been completed by our team in the last 12 or 13 years.”
These inspections guarantee that the 111th ATKW continually analyses its preparedness and is ready to deploy at a moment’s notice thanks to the preparation they provide.