CRW establishes remote airbase in 'Pitch Black' exercise

  • Published
  • By Capt. David Bredesen
  • 570th Contingency Response Group
AMADEE ARMY AIRFIELD, Calif. --  

Approximately 90 members of the 621st Contingency Response Wing participated in exercise Pitch Black at the Sierra Army Depot in Herlong, Calif., from Sept. 9 to 13.

The exercise was a joint effort with active duty, air guard and contingency response units providing training in command and control, communications, airfield defense, air traffic control, aerial port and maintenance. In addition, the Airmen established bare base operations to open Amedee Army Airfield nearby.

"The CRW worked hand-in-hand with Travis Air Force Base flying squadrons and support organizations, as well as Sierra Army Depot personnel and the Nevada Air National Guard to build a successful training venue," said Lt. Col. Scott Lew, 570th Global Mobility Squadron director of operations.  "This exercise is the first of its kind for the 621st. Not only were we able to deploy the entire group on short notice to conduct bare base operations, but by using a regional training site with local community resources and personnel, we were able to deploy for a third of the cost of a normal CRW exercise."

Col. Scott Zippwald, 570th CRG commander, kicked off the exercise by leading a small airfield assessment team into Amedee Army Airfield. This specialized team rapidly assessed the runway and surrounding area, ensuring its suitability to support sustained operations with heavy aircraft.

Immediately following the airfield assessment team, a follow-on force of 80 Airmen arrived to set up all functions necessary to receive and launch aircraft.  During the next four days, these Airmen supported the arrival of C-17 Globemaster III, KC-10 Extender and C-5 Galaxy aircraft from the 60th Operations Group at Travis AFB, And C-130H Hercules, AFB and the 192nd Airlift Squadron from the Nevada ANG. The training included scenarios ranging from simulated aircraft emergencies to base attacks. 

Col. Martin Chapin, 621 CRW commander, visited the exercise to assess the operation. 

"This exercise is a win-win for the 621st CRW and the participating flying squadrons," Chapin said. "The 570th CRG exercised its core combat capabilities and the aircrews received valuable training experience with night vision goggle operations, cargo loading procedures, and unfamiliar airfield operations. 

I am confident that the 570th CRG is ready for any mission, and I look forward to future cooperation with our Active Duty, National Guard, and Army partners."