Airmen, Marines Team up for Innovative Readiness Training

RAYMOND, ME, UNITED STATES

05.04.2016

Story by Airman Tiffany Clark 

110th Wing

Marine Reservists from Combat Logistics Regiment 45 attend Innovative Readiness Training at Camp Hinds, Raymond, Maine. CLR 45 accompanied the 110th Civil Engineering Squadron as well as a services team from Battle Creek Air National Guard Base, Mich. for the April 24th to May 8th, 2016 project. Over the course of two weeks, the Marines gained hands on training with heavy equipment from experienced Airmen.

For Cpl. Lam K. Hung, a heavy equipment operator for CLR 45, the experience has been an opportunity to obtain valuable real world job experience. “In our unit a lot of the experienced people are retiring so it is very hard to get these opportunities. I'm very learning oriented, so it has been nice to get those rare hands-on experiences.”

The benefits of this joint training environment extend far beyond the practical skills that Marines have been soaking up. Many participants cited the joint atmosphere of respect as a transformative career experience.
“It has been wonderful working with the Air Force," said Sgt. Devon Box, a heavy equipment operator with CLR 45. "A lot of the guys are older, so they bring great leadership skills, as well as a different type of experience and professionalism that we aren’t used to.”

The Air National Guard's deep reservoir of experience can be attributed to the fact that most of the Airmen are civil engineering professionals in their civilian lives as well. Their mastery of the proper utilization, care, and technique of heavy equipment operations allows them to mentor with skill and authority.

“I was excited to come to this training knowing it was top heavy and that we were going to be attached to the Air Force.” Said Hung. “I have learned a lot from people who are experienced in the civilian world as well as military. I have also have learned leadership traits which will help me be a better leader within the military.”

The Innovative Readiness Training culminated with a work project to construct new amenities for a Boy Scouts of America camp, adding a unique community support element to the experience.

• Date Taken: 05.04.2016
• Date Posted: 05.05.2016 13:49
• Story ID: 197329
• Location: RAYMOND, ME, US