Photo By Airman Colleen Coulthard | U.S. Air Force leadership from across Team McChord traveled to Kuwait to perform a...... read more read more
Members from Team McChord and more than 30 other Air Force bases are primed and ready to embark on a springtime deployment as the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing to Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait.
This deployment marks a pivotal moment for the 386th AEW and the Air Force, as it will be one of the first to leverage the innovative Air Force Generation model (AFFORGEN) capability in presenting forces for combatant commanders.
To ensure readiness for the upcoming deployment, Col. Patrick McClintock, 62nd Operations Group commander, along with Team McChord senior leaders completed a three-day tabletop exercise Feb. 6-8, 2024, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The three-day exercise focused on introducing and building protocols for incoming commanders, senior enlisted leaders and the A-staff: A1, Manpower, Personnel, and Services; A2, Intelligence; A3, Operations; A4, Logistics and Engineering; A5, Plans and Integration; and A6, Communications. Participants delved into regional familiarization, analyzed potential contingency operations and engaged in discussions with current and past 386th AEW command teams, notably senior leaders like retired Maj. Gen. John R. Gordy II and Col Julie Gualin, the current 386th commander.
"I am honored and excited to lead our team as we prepare for our upcoming deployment to Kuwait," said McClintock. “We were able to gather commanders and senior enlisted leaders for much needed team building; after this three-day exercise I have full confidence in their ability to lead our Airmen to execute their various mission sets with excellence."
In addition to the tabletop exercise, McClintock and other senior leaders have accomplished numerous items in preparation for their upcoming deployment. They began hosting weekly operational planning meetings since Sept. 2023; publishing a welcome letter for incoming 386th AEW Airmen; executing an A-staff exercise during Rainer War 23A and a pre-deployment site survey to Ali Al Salem Air Base.
"The new AFFORGEN concept really gives us the opportunity to start forming our team well before we arrive to Ali Al Salem," noted McClintock. “This is huge because engaging in this detailed planning and collaboration now, we are better positioned to meet the challenges that lie ahead and fulfill our objectives from the moment we are boots on ground.”
Incoming leaders for the 386th AEW will also partake in a field training exercise certification event Feb. 12-15, 2024, a U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) staff visit, and a deployment fair at JBLM in March.
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Kristy Korchak-Cambell, 386th inbound command chief for the deployment, maintains that this additional preparation will aid in her goal of leaving the base better than they found it.
The deployment underscores the Air Force's commitment to maintaining a robust and agile presence in key regions across the globe; reaffirming its strategic goals and promoting stability throughout the region.
| Date Taken: | 02.14.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 02.14.2024 19:20 |
| Story ID: | 463864 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 202 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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