The training included simulated Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP), a mass casualty scenario, high altitude-low opening (HALO) jump operations, medical training, and fast-rope helicopter egress training.
The goal was to integrate the two forces and identify ways to better accomplish their shared mission of quickly responding to contingency scenarios, such as recovery of isolated personnel or mass casualty situations, and ultimately save lives.
“Marines and PJs working together are a deadly combination”, said Major Mark O’Driscoll, the commander of the ground combat element with the SPMAGTF-CR-AF. “Marines can secure and defend the landing zone while PJs save lives and recover assets. It's the best of both worlds.”
PJs bring highly specialized capabilities, such as technical rescue tools to recover personnel from damaged vehicles or aircraft, sensitive item recovery, and extensive medical capabilities as certified paramedics.
By comparing tactics, techniques, and procedures, the Marines identified ways to become a more effective response force while improving their ability to integrate with other services.
“It helped bringing the perspective of an outsider that is a true professional at this mission set into the fold and we’ve walked away from this training with improvements to planning and execution of this mission” said 2nd Lt. Luke Carraway, an infantry platoon commander with the SPMAGTF-CR-AF ground combat element.
The Air Force PJs also had the opportunity to practice integrating with other units and become more flexible in an increasingly joint environment.
“Integrating the joint force into a cohesive fighting force during exercises like this one is worth every ounce of sweat”, said an officer with the 82nd ERQS. “The Marines we worked with were some of the hardest working people I've come across."
The SPMAGTF-CR-AF currently stands ready as a rapid response force for crisis response missions throughout the continent of Africa in support of American and NATO operations.