133rd Airlift Wing’s 'Snow Birds' fly South for a training exercise

133rd Airlift Wing
Story by Tech. Sgt. Amy Lovgren

Date: 03.01.2014
Posted: 03.10.2014 09:20
News ID: 121768
133rd Airlift Wing’s 'Snow Birds' fly South for a training exercise

YUMA, Ariz.- Airmen from the 109th Airlift Squadron and 133rd Airlift Wing make use of warmer temperatures to accomplish six-months of airdrops and other annual training requirements in a six-day time period in Yuma, Ariz., during March 2014.

The training provided a wide range of unique challenges that can’t be reproduced in Minnesota. For the flight crews, the skies over Yuma Proving Grounds introduced unfamiliar terrain and high aircraft traffic volume. For the traditional airmen, they were exposed to training beyond the normal Unit Training Assembly weekend. In addition, the newer airmen had to adapt to the quick turnaround between the day and evening flights.

“Yuma is an exercise for the entire base. While in the planning stages, we try to engage as much of the Wing that wants to be part of the exercise. If there is a unit on base that thinks that they can receive good training, then we want to give them the opportunity to be part of it,” said Maj. Kevin Roche, mission commander for the training event.

The Yuma training mission requires support from the entire base, including airmen from the 109th Airlift Squadron, 133rd Operation Support Squadron, 133rd Airlift Control Flight, 133rd Maintenance Group, 133rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, 133rd Commutations Flight and Public Affairs, for a total of 135 airmen.

“Absolutely, hands down, without a question, the Yuma training mission was a success. We got a lot of training completed on all different levels,” commented Maj. Roche on the outcome of the Yuma training mission.