Second AF commander tours Bliss training facilities

Photo By Adam Holguin | Maj. Gen. Mark Anthony Brown, left, talks with Soldiers assigned to Task Force Dark Horse, at McGregor Range, N.M., Aug. 28 during his visit and tour of the training facilities at Fort Bliss. Task Force Dark Horse are in charge of all the training that Airmen and Sailors go through prior to joint forces deployments with the Army.  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

09.17.2015

Story by Adam Holguin 

Mobilization and Deployment, DPTMS Fort Bliss

FORT BLISS, Texas - The Commander of Second Air Force, Maj. Gen. Mark Anthony Brown, visited Airmen and Sailors attached to Detachment 4, 602nd Training Group, U.S. Air Force, at Fort Bliss Aug. 28, as part of ongoing joint forces training efforts between the Air Force, Navy, and Army personnel.

Brown is responsible for the development, oversight, and direction of all operational aspects of basic military training, initial skills training and advanced technical training for Air Force enlisted force and support officers.

Brown visited Fort Bliss to see how the rotations of Airmen training under the joint forces team here were transpiring.

“We wanted to highlight the incredible synergy we have with our mission partners here the Army and Navy,” said Lt. Col. Robert Redding, commander, Det. 4, 602nd Training Group, U.S. Air Force.

“Particularly the folks here at the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, the 2206th and 2208th Mobilization Support Battalions, and of course Task Force Dark Horse, which is our liaison folks that do the training for the joint service classes,” continued Redding.

Detachment 4 is responsible for overseeing the training of all Airmen who come through Fort Bliss prior to deployments abroad. This includes large engineering elements, Redhorse and Primebeef, as well as smaller groups that are immersed with Sailors into a true joint forces operation with Army.

Brown wanted to see how his Airmen are faring here because Fort Bliss became the permanent training site for Air Force combat skills and engineering training as of April 1.

The visit for Brown began at Range 27, to observe the Airmen as they completed crew-served weapons training and firing. The visit of facilities continued with a tour of Forward Operating Base Westbrook, where culminating training events take place for the Airmen and Sailors.

“I would say that this is the center of excellence for training, I would use that term,” said Brown. “What I saw out at McGregor Range (New Mexico) was about as good a Middle East replica as I have seen. My folks were incredibly impressed with the training and from what I saw - it is well merited.”

After a tour of the Air Force and Navy student billeting facilities, Brown was the presiding officer for two promotions. With a backdrop the Southwest desert, three staged Humvees, and Army, Air Force and Navy colors, Brown conducted the promotions of Capt. Eric Palmer to major and Staff Sgt. Dennis Martinez to technical sergeant.

“To have Maj. Gen. Brown here as the presiding officer, as these students (are promoted) on an Army installation with support of our Army brothers is awesome,” said Redding. “A pretty unique ceremony, all around.”

Detachment 4 personnel then had lunch at the Maj. Chester Garrett Dining Facility on McGregor Range. The meal allowed time for Airmen and Sailors to speak candidly with Brown.

“Some of the feedback I got at lunchtime, from both Navy and Air Force guys, because they do all of this together as a team, is that they are able to operate in a joint environment as a joint team,” Brown said.

“So by coming here they are able to not just get the training, but they are living on an Army post, they are attached to Army training, so they are learning both the lingo and some of the culture, if you will, of the Army that might be different,” he said.

After lunch, Maj. Gen. Brown visited with and recognized Task Force Dark Horse personnel, who are in charge of the training of Airmen and Sailors.

“The Dark Horse Soldiers go above and beyond,” said Redding. “We wanted to highlight at least a few people that continually receive high marks and praise on the after action reports that our classes submit.”

Brown recognized Capt. James Letterman, 1st Lt. James Burris, Sgt. 1st Class Heath Adams, Sgt. 1st Class Fernando Terrazas and Staff Sgt. Joseph Spencer with commanders coins for their training excellence.

After a windshield tour of additional training facilities at McGregor Range, including combat life saver and counter improvised explosive device training lanes, the contingent returned to Fort Bliss for a final meeting with personnel from the Mobilization and Deployment branch of DPTMS.

Brown was pleased with his onsite visit and his observations.

“My report going back to bigger Air Force, if you will, is that we are getting quality training here and it is working for our folks, working for the Air Force, and that means its working for the nation,” said Brown.

“I have seen where our people eat, I have seen where they sleep, and I have seen where they work. And all three pass without a question.”

• Date Taken: 09.17.2015
• Date Posted: 09.21.2015 10:58
• Story ID: 176726
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US