Photo By Gwendolyn Kurzen | U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Omar Navarro, 45th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive...... read more read more
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Airmen and Guardians across Space Launch Delta 45 participated in the first-ever base-wide Ready Training Areas course, an initiative designed to strengthen mission readiness and ensure every member is prepared for real-world operations at home and abroad.
Unlike past practices where only deployers received training in specific areas, this RTA event provided instruction for all Airmen and Guardians, regardless of deployment status. The training covered critical topics such as CBRN, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, active threat response, integrated defense, law of war, survival evasion and recovery basics, cultural awareness, and communication skills.
“This was built from the ground up,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eli Haley, 45 Logistics Readiness Squadron non commissioned officer in charge of deployments. “There wasn’t a template for us to follow. We knew units like Security Forces and Civil Engineering had their own focused training, but RTA is meant to prepare everyone; not just those with deployment taskings or arming requirements.”
In the past, many Airmen and Guardians who were not currently tasked to deploy were left out of specialized training opportunities, leaving compliance gaps. RTA is designed to close that gap by standardizing training across the installation.
Instead of leaving the responsibility to individual units, this initiative consolidates instruction and ensures consistency. The effort aligns with senior leader guidance that emphasizes proactive preparation rather than reactive response.
“Too often, training fell only to those already preparing to deploy,” said Haley. “We saw the risk in that approach. This program ensures every Airman and Guardian has the same baseline knowledge and is ready at all times.”
Planning the training required coordination across the installation. Subject matter experts from various squadrons led instruction, providing first-hand knowledge in their respective specialties.
The event was structured over two days, with four-hour blocks repeating the same content. This allowed units to split their Airmen and Guardians between sessions, maintaining operational capability while ensuring full participation.
Although the initial format was primarily classroom-based, leaders envision the program evolving into a more immersive, exercise-driven event.
The need for comprehensive readiness is constantly evolving to match the global environment. Senior leaders are focused on ensuring the US is postured for near-peer competition. The Air Force is leveraging RTA to directly address readiness by providing Airmen and Guardians with practical knowledge that could save lives in both deployed and home-station environments.
“As we’ve seen in modern conflicts, bases can come under direct attack without warning,” said Haley. “The last thing we want is an Airman or Guardian caught off guard without knowing how to respond. RTA is about ensuring that it does not happen.”
Organizers stressed that the program’s success hinges on leadership involvement.
“This kind of training will only be as strong as commanders make it,” said Haley. “If commanders prioritize readiness and hold their units accountable, RTA will become a cornerstone of preparation here. Without that commitment, we risk complacency.”
The first base-wide RTA is considered a foundation—one that will grow with future iterations. Already, planners are considering ways to expand hands-on practice, integrate deployment line exercises, and build a stronger warrior ethos across the installation.
For now, the event represents a major step forward in ensuring every Airman, regardless of deployment status, is trained, equipped, and ready.
“This is about making readiness real,” said Haley. “When the time comes, every Airman and Guardian should know exactly what to do—not just those on the deployment roster.”
| Date Taken: | 08.20.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.26.2025 09:29 |
| Story ID: | 546426 |
| Location: | PATRICK SPACE FORCE BASE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 23 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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