Always on mission: 188th FSS prepares for AEF rotation

Photo By Staff Sgt. Hannah Dickerson | Airmen from the 188th Services Flight construct a portable kitchen facility inside a tent expendable modular personnel tent during annual training June 10, 2015, at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Ark. When fully assembled, this facility is capable of providing a minimum of three meals a day for an entire wing. Annual training such as this prepares Airmen with the skills necessary to ensure they are always ready when called upon. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Hannah Dickerson/Released)  

FORT SMITH, AR, UNITED STATES

06.25.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Hannah Dickerson 

188th Wing

FORT SMITH, Ark. - No matter when or where, Arkansas Air National Guardsmen are always ready to answer the call to protect our nation's freedom and assist our communities in need. Soon, the 188th Wing will be entering their Air Expeditionary Force rotation during which time Airmen from the wing will become eligible for deployment around the world.

In order to ensure that the 188th Wing's Airmen are prepared for a deployment, they must undergo rigorous training across multiple domains to reach combat readiness. On June 4, 2015, members of the 188th Force Support Squadron began their two weeks of annual training specifically designed to increase their skills and prepare them for any mission.

Prior to mobilization, Airmen have a list mandatory training that must be performed, which ensures they are proficient in all tasks required by their career field. FSS personnel may be training in subjects ranging from contingency casualty reporting to single pallet expeditionary kitchen training. This preparation is tailored to fit the need of each individual Airman in their select career fields, enhancing their ability to support the total force concept.

"I'm excited and I want to experience a deployment, which will help to better my career," said Senior Airman Ashley Bailey, 188th Military Personnel Flight human resources administrator. "This kind of training keeps us prepared and ready at all times so that when we are called upon we are ready."

Master Sgt. Brian Mays, 188th Services Flight sustainment services superintendent, explained this event as preparing airmen for deployment, growth, and success.

"We have so many new members that are eager and wanting to deploy," Mays said. "This valuable training is going to prep them for that, plus helps them to integrate with active duty units and be successful in general." He continued with, "We are still at war; the Air Force said they need our help, so we will be there and we will be ready."

Maintaining and sustaining combat readiness is vital to supporting ongoing worldwide contingency missions and Guardsmen are held to the same standards as the active duty U.S. Air Force. Training requirements for 188th FSS members include command and control, shelter build up and tear down, resiliency training, suicide prevention, ability to survive and operate, search and recovery and additional training pertaining specifically to each flight.

The 188th MPF must complete redeployment, contingency casualty reporting, limited person program support, accountability procedures, concept and reception.

The 188th SVF is working towards completing field feeding platforms operations, fuel fired equipment, field hygiene, single pallet expeditionary kitchen training, force bed-down training, contingency lodging and laundry, field fitness recreation and library operations, vehicle training, resource management and mortuary affairs.

Training is a top priority at the 188th Wing, and even more critical prior to a deployment. The exercises the 188th FSS participate in will ensure Airmen are well-trained, well-equipped and combat ready.

• Date Taken: 06.25.2015
• Date Posted: 07.29.2015 14:08
• Story ID: 171441
• Location: FORT SMITH, AR, US