Photo By Staff Sgt. Shane S. Karp | U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sean Romero, left and Senior Airman Mark Cavanaugh, crew...... read more read more
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Members of the 177th Fighter Wing deployed on temporary duty to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, to take part in Red Flag 16-3, the U.S. Air Force’s premier air to air combat exercise, which aims to give Airmen an opportunity to experience realistic combat scenarios, preparing and training those participating in the event of any future conflicts or wars.
Red Flag is crucial to ensure readiness for less-experienced Airman who may not have a combat deployment under their belt, but the 177th MXG brought something else with them which cannot be taught: more than 1,300 years of cumulative experience between the 127 deployed from the 177th Maintenance Group
“With that amount of years of seasoning comes invaluable experience and knowledge, which ultimately amplifies our readiness and effectiveness,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Brian Cooper, 177th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander.
Cooper spent the first 10 years of his Air Force career on active duty, and describes the 177th MXG as, “one of the best maintenance units in the total Air Force, always ready to provide safe reliable aircraft for anything we are tasked to do.”
The tempo at Red Flag is fast-paced and conditions are less-than desireable, with more than 115 aircraft scheduled to depart Nellis AFB twice a day, and operations taking place both during the daytime, and under the night sky, with temperatures during the exercise averaging well over 100 degrees.
“Red Flag is very fast-paced, with several different things always needing to be done at the same time,” said Airman 1st Class Kirsten Chervenak, a weapons loader with 2 years in the New Jersey Air National Guard. “The exercise helps us be prepared because things are always changing at the last minute; we’re constantly alert and ready for anything here.”
For the maintainers here, there is very little, if any downtime, says Senior Airman Austin Sharpless, a crew chief with 2 years experience in the NJANG.
“We really are picking up the tempo compared to a typical Guard weekend. As soon as the first set of jets take off, we’re working on the second set, making sure they will be good to go later in the day. That’s what makes exercises like Red Flag so important to us.” Sharpless said.
What makes the 177th MXG a premier unit in the Air Force, is that when in doubt, the younger Airmen have more than 1,300 years of experience behind them, Cooper said.
This includes people like Chief Master Sgt. Timothy S. Donovan, an aircraft systems superintendent with the 177th Fighter Wing, and 39 years of Air Force experience.
“The expectation is, I have knowledge and experience based on my position and years on the job,” Donovan said. “The key is to be approachable and look to help and assist when younger Airmen, or anyone else for that matter, are in need of advice, mentoring, or direction”
“My experience seems to act like a guide for the younger Airmen, and helps to ease some of their anxieties,” said Master Sgt. Bradley X. Rivera-Reynoso, a weapons troop with the 177th MXG with years 16 years of experience, 8 of which were on active duty, and three combat deployments.
Exercises like Red Flag, combined with the seasoned experience the New Jersey Air National Guard’s 177th Fighter Wing brings to the table, help ensure the 177th is ready to complete any task, at any time, anywhere.
| Date Taken: | 07.29.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 07.29.2016 19:17 |
| Story ID: | 205558 |
| Location: | NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, NV, US |
| Web Views: | 339 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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