Deployed Airmen provide key support to multi-national exercise

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Denise Johnson | U.S. Air Force E-3B Sentry Airborne Warning And Control System surveillance...... read more read more

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Denise Johnson | U.S. Air Force E-3B Sentry Airborne Warning And Control System surveillance technicians from the 965th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron track simulated hostile aircraft during a multi-national exercise, Nov. 9.  see less | View Image Page

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

11.13.2008

Story by Master Sgt. Denise Johnson 

380th Air Expeditionary Wing

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By Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson
380th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA - A multitude of international aircraft and Airmen converged in Southwest Asia through the month of November to participate in an exercise geared toward honing aerial operations while improving relations and interoperability.

The 380th Air Expeditionary Wing balanced real-world operations while supporting the multi-national exercise.

"We're here to support operations in-theater," said Brig. Gen. H.D. Polumbo, Jr. "We do that very well, everyday. We are, however, willing to support key training exercises to enable the [U.S. Air Force] and our key allies to hone their war-fighting skills."

This combined exercise provides the 380th AEW and the other participants with another platform for improvement.

"Participating in this exercise enhances our effectiveness downrange. When the opportunity arises for us to improve our own skills and develop our ability to integrate in combined operations, we take advantage of that training," Gen. Polumbo said.

The wing provided air battle management via its E-3B Sentry Air Warning and Control System as well as air-to-air refueling from its KC-10 Extenders for fighter jets from the U.S., France, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Some countries, such as Egypt, sent observers to the exercise.

The day's objective included seeking and identifying a simulated enemy frigate escorting a ship carrying military supplies to a notional adversary, Nov. 12. The E-3 crew, from the 965th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron here, managed the air space and tracked the movement of both friendly and hostile aircraft in the area.

Once the frigate was found and identified, the strike package (fighter jets), were called in to simulate a show of force. Identifying friendlies and hostiles is a life-and-death profession the E-3 crew is fully qualified to handle.

"We can determine whether an aircraft is friend or foe in less than 30 seconds," said Capt. Omar Hamilton, 965th EACCS electronic warfare officer.

The scenarios, though simulated, warrant a serious undertone. The participants could face similar real-world situations at any time.

"You need to be on them," Flight Lt. Matt Brunton, 965th EAACS mission crew commander, said to the 20-plus member crew in the preflight brief Wednesday. "... otherwise our guys die."

The air-battle managers watched aircraft movement and monitored communications while the 908th Expeditionary Refueling Squadron's KC-10 crew refueled four fighters before they joined "the fight."

A variety of accents and flying experience provided some minor challenges, but every pilot avoided the designated surface-to-air missile range marked by a circle on the radar screen.

"This site has been identified as a SAM site," Capt. Hamilton explained. "If the aircraft enter this circle on the screen, they are within range of simulated missiles."

The pilots vary in background and nationality but in the sky they are on a level playing field, according to Maj. Shawn Williams. They share a common bond borne of the cockpit.

"A fighter pilot is a fighter pilot, regardless of country," Major Williams, F-15 pilot, said. "In an exercise like this we find we all have the same fundamental desires and wants: peace, love and family - and the means to protect them."

Major Williams is stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. He calls the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania home.

The exercise will continue, as will the learning and sharing, before the multi-nationals return to their respective countries. If the end of the exercise brings as much success as the beginning, the participants will go home wiser and more experienced. More importantly, however, they will be prepared to meet again when it counts.