Courtesy Photo | 231215-Z-F3949-1003 Master Sgt. Joel McGill, 194th Logistics Readiness Squadron...... read more read more
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CAMP MURRAY, WASH. – Two members from the 194th Wing graduated from a two-week Multi-Capable Airman course at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Dec. 15, 2023.
Tech. Sgt. John McGill, 194th Logistics Readiness Squadron equipment accountability representative, and his brother Master Sgt. Joel McGill, 194th LRS material management flight superintendent, were the first members in the entire Air National Guard to attend the course.
Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Nolan, 194th Wing Command Chief, initially heard about the MCA course in a teleconference. After witnessing the program in person and coordinating with the training instructors and leadership, the McGill brothers were selected to attend the course.
According to John McGill, the goal of the program is for airmen to be capable of completing the basic concepts and skills of critical jobs that are used in a deployed environment.
“Each day was with a different [career field]” said John McGill. “ The first part of the day the instructor would have a PowerPoint and we go over the technical side of it, we go to lunch, then after lunch, the rest of the day would be spent at that shop, in person, doing the stuff we covered in the morning.”
The program covered security forces, vehicle maintenance, cargo operations, fuels, ground transportation, explosive ordnance disposal and rescue. The McGills spent the first day with a helicopter rescue squadron, working specifically with the HH-60 Pave Hawk. They learned about the basic functions of the helicopter, how it operated, where to find emergency equipment, and more.
Another highlight for the McGill brothers was explosive ordnance disposal training.
“They brought over some different [training aids] where we got to see different kinds of [improvised explosive devices] and mines,” said John McGill.
This training focused on how to identify IED’s, how to clear the area, and how to call in explosive ordnance disposal.
The course culminated with a capstone combining all the training topics into one event.
“We showed up in the morning and they gave us an intel mission brief,” said John McGill. “Like hey, this is your mission, this is what you're gonna have to do, and then go do it.”
The McGill’s loaded and secured a pallet. They used a forklift to load it onto a flatbed trailer and strapped it down. Then they were tasked to drive the load to a designated location on the other side of the base.
“EOD came out and set up a [simulated] IED that we would come across,” said John McGill. “We had to stop the truck, get out, identify it, and call it in. EOD came out, cleared it for us and we continued on.”
When they arrived at the final destination, the McGill’s unloaded the pallet. The mission was complete. The McGill brothers returned to Camp Murray, grateful for the opportunity and ready to share with the Wing.
“I've been in the guard for 16 years now and it was probably the best course I've got to attend and be a part of,” said Tech Sgt. John McGill.
The Wing is in the discussion phase for starting an MCA course of its own in collaboration with the 62nd Airlift Wing and 446th Airlift Wing on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., said Nolan.
“The hope is that [JBLM] will stand up its own Multi-Capable Airman course,” said Nolan. “If and when they do, it’s our intent to provide instructors and to send our people over there for training.”
For John McGill, the key word in Multi-Capable Airman concept is, capable.
“It's not multi-expert airman. You're not expected to be an expert at everything. It's just, in a wartime no kidding environment, are you capable of doing this if something happens and we need to step in.”
| Date Taken: | 01.31.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 02.07.2024 14:20 |
| Story ID: | 462872 |
| Location: | CAMP MURRAY , WA, US |
| Web Views: | 124 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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