Gulfport ANG Base Gets New Mission Focus

GULFPORT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MS, UNITED STATES

02.21.2017

Story by Andrea D Thomas 

Joint Force Headquarters - Mississippi National Guard

The United States Air National Guard (ANG) recently assigned a new specialized training mission focus for each of its four Combat Readiness Training Centers (CRTC). Due to this new mission focus, the Trent Lott National Guard Training Complex in Gulfport, Mississippi. is now the home of the Air National Guard Battlefield Airmen Center (ANG BAC).
“While all of our CRTC locations are inherently multi-faceted and each will continue to approach their respective training audiences in ways that maximize quality and efficiency, we believe specified branding will better posture us for the future,” said Air National Guard Director, Lt. Gen. L. Scott Rice. “The transformation of our CRTCs includes specific capabilities unique to each location.”
Historically, the Gulfport CRTC primarily focused on the development of aircrews and airborne systems. However, recent operations have highlighted the critical need for Battlefield Airmen and an ANG BAC.
Battlefield Airmen career fields include: pararescue Airmen, combat rescue officers, combat control Airmen, special tactics officers, tactical air control party Airmen, air liaison officers, and Special Operations weather team Airmen. These Service members, who operate much differently than traditional air forces, must be capable of integrating with conventional ground forces and Special Operations Forces. The BAC’s primary mission is to ensure that Battlefield Airmen are “always ready” to support both global contingency operations and stateside domestic responses.
The BAC will provide a unique, realistic, cross-domain training venue where Battlefield Airmen can enhance their combat skills prior to embarking anywhere in the world.
“When Battlefield Airmen deploy, they integrate with conventional forces and Special Operations Forces. We never want that partnership to be initially forged while in combat,” said Col. Paul Drake, Battlefield Airmen Center Commander. “It should be done before going into harm’s way. We in Gulfport want to provide the venue where these operators train like they fight, so they can fight like they train.”
ANG leaders say the BAC will produce trained and ready operational forces through increased training opportunities with joint and international partners in southern Mississippi. The newly designated ANG BAC at Gulfport is a certified Joint National Training Site and hosts recurring joint accredited exercises like Southern Strike. Drake says Southern Strike provides ANG Battlefield Airmen the exercise and venue to train with the joint community, which ultimately contributes to the effective global employment of Battlefield Airmen within the joint force.
“The Air National Guard Battlefield Airmen Center will provide a unique training environment dedicated solely to Air National Guard Battlefield Airmen. What that means is they don’t have to compete for training resources for air space or ranges,” Drake said. “They will receive prioritized scheduling and dedicated facilities to enhance their training. The creation of the Battlefield Airmen Center by the Air National Guard demonstrates a prudent use of existing Air National Guard capacity.”
Additionally, the ANG designated the Savannah CRTC in Georgia as the Air Dominance Center, the Alpena CRTC in Michigan as the Close Air Support Center, and the Volk Field CRTC in Wisconsin as the Counterland Center.

• Date Taken: 02.21.2017
• Date Posted: 03.24.2017 11:48
• Story ID: 224407
• Location: GULFPORT AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, MS, US