CRW participates in Joint Base MDL mobility exercise

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Zachary Martyn
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  

Airmen from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst participated in an annual mobility exercise here from Feb. 28 to March 10 in order to hone their skillsets in a simulated deployed environment.

 

The exercise was conducted at JB MDL and enabled the 87th Air Base Wing, 305th Air Mobility Wing and 621st Contingency Response Wing to focus on full spectrum readiness, ensuring those involved are knowledgeable in their deployed duties and putting their ability to survive and operate under many simulated threat conditions to the test.  

 

“The MOBEX has been an essential chance for our Airmen to practice rapid global mobility,” said Lt Col Thorsten H. Curcio, 87th Air Base Wing inspector general. “This exercise provides the opportunity to test the skills and abilities we train for every day.”

 

Participants first processed through pre-deployment checks to ensure they completed all required training and paperwork and had the right equipment prior to deploying. The Airmen later boarded a C-17 Globemaster III and taxied to a separate exercise area to simulate travel to an austere location.

 

The 621st CRW Airmen were the first on-scene at the mock deployment; securing the airfield and establishing a base of operations until participants from the 305th AMW and 87th ABW arrived.

 

“The Mobility Exercise is a perfect opportunity to train how we fight,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Charles Henderson, 621st CRW commander. “Our ability to deploy in a moment’s notice is what projecting airpower is all about. Ensuring our Airmen are prepared for any operational environment is what this exercise is all about.”

 

Throughout the exercise, various scenarios were used to simulate adverse conditions in a hostile environment. For many, this was their first such exercise, for others it was a needed refresher. Inspectors tested, observed and judged Airmen’s reactions to the scenarios, identifying areas where improvements can be made and taking note of potential best practices for use across the mobility forces.

 

“This is a tough test and a great experience for everyone involved,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Darren Cole, 305th Air Mobility Wing commander. “For our Airmen who have not deployed, the MOBEX is particularly valuable training about what goes on in a war environment. With this exercise, we can ensure they’re ready in a controlled environment, so that those skills are retained for any possible real-world mission.”  

In addition to participation from the three active duty wings assigned to JB MDL, a C-5M Super Galaxy assigned to the 436th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware participated in an engines running off-load with the 621st CRW to ensure the crews stay sharp on the procedure. The training ensures interoperability with multiple airframes and communication training opportunities across various wings and locations.

 

Lessons learned during the MOBEX will further enhance the Airmen’s ability to stay prepared for real world contingencies and ensure the wings are ready at a moment’s notice to provide rapid global mobility.