Most diverse Alaska Air Guard group trains collectively

Photo By Maj. John Callahan | Staff Sgt. Josef Lenz (left) and Staff Sgt. Steven Ellis (right) recover a deployed cargo parachute after an airdrop at Malamute Drop Zone on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Aug. 16, 2015. Members of the 176th Mission Support Group from approximately 20 different job specialties trained in their wartime mission skills during the four-day Polar Guard 15-1 exercise. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Capt. John Callahan/Released)  

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, UNITED STATES

08.18.2015

Story by Tech. Sgt. Nancy Goldberger 

176th Wing

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Members of the 176th Mission Support Group brought together approximately 20 different occupations for a joint training exercise here Aug. 15 to 18.

Polar Guard 15-1, known locally as "Mad Bull," is an annual affair held mainly at the base joint-regional training site, Camp Mad Bull, where Air Guardsmen participated in a range of events including radio communication, land navigation, field kitchen duties and heavy equipment operation.

At additional locations around base, members participated in aircraft rescue and fire-fighting, convoy simulation, and airdrop and cargo retrieval events. This training is necessary to hone wartime skill sets and be ready for real-world emergencies.

"Mad Bull is a good opportunity to bring the group together for morale-building and for skills training," said Col. Patty Wilbanks, the 176th MSG commander. "They don't get the opportunity to do this unless we get them [into the field]."

A traditional guardsman will train for one weekend each month, as well as two weeks a year for annual training. Due to this time constraint, it is essential to make the most of training opportunities.

Though all the training dealt with deployable skill sets, it was not for that alone. The 176th Civil Engineer Squadron was recently assigned a state mission of urban search and rescue. This means knowing how to use a skid steer to move debris, as well as personnel rescue by the firefighters.

This year, the 176th MSG shared joint training with the 477th Sustainment Services Flight -- part of the Air Force Reserve unit here -- and community emergency personnel from the Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company, Palmer Fire and Rescue and the Alaska State Fire Marshal's office.

• Date Taken: 08.18.2015
• Date Posted: 08.25.2015 18:21
• Story ID: 174246
• Location: JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK, US