571 MSAS Sharpens Survival Skills at Washington Ridge

An Airman from the 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron practice fire-building during a field training exercise at Washington Ridge Conservation Camp #44, northern California, April 16, 2025. The training focused on survival and navigation skills to prepare for operations in austere environments.

571 MSAS Sharpens Survival Skills at Washington Ridge

An Airman from the 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron prepares to be hoisted by a CALFIRE helicopter during a field training exercise at Washington Ridge Campsite #44, northern California, April 16, 2025. The training focused on survival and navigation skills to prepare for operations in austere environments.

571 MSAS Sharpens Survival Skills at Washington Ridge

An Airman from the 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron tracks the location of students during a field training exercise at Washington Ridge Campsite #44, northern California, April 16, 2025. The training focused on survival and navigation skills to prepare for operations in austere environments.

571 MSAS Sharpens Survival Skills at Washington Ridge

Airmen from the 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron gathers branches to build a fire during a field training exercise at Washington Ridge Conservation Camp #44, northern California, April 16, 2025. The training focused on survival and navigation skills to prepare for operations in austere environments.

571 MSAS Sharpens Survival Skills at Washington Ridge

An Airman from the 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron gathers branches to build shelter during a field training exercise at Washington Ridge Conservation Camp #44, northern California, April 16, 2025. The training focused on survival and navigation skills to prepare for operations in austere environments.

571 MSAS Sharpens Survival Skills at Washington Ridge

Published May 2, 2025
By Tech. Sgt. Levi Reynolds
621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif --

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE Calif. — The 571st Mobility Support Advisory Squadron (MSAS) conducted a field training exercise (FTX) at Washington Ridge Conservation Camp #44 in northern California from April 16-17, focusing on critical survival and navigation skills.

17 Airmen participated in the exercise, which emphasized rural land navigation, basic survival techniques, communication, and personnel recovery in rugged terrain. The training aimed to prepare squadron members for unpredictable situations where they might need to operate in austere and challenging environments.

“Our Air Advisors are trained to be more than reactive to potential threats, they are proactively prepared to handle any challenge,” said Lt. Col. Mary Bordelon, 571st MSAS Commander. “Mastering navigation and survival ensures our Airmen can operate independently anytime, anywhere.”

The exercise culminated in a helicopter evacuation drill coordinated with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE). Airmen practiced signaling techniques, radio communications, and evacuation procedures, simulating a rescue operation in a combat or disaster scenario.

CALFIRE helicopters typically used for wildfire response provided realistic training conditions. “The partnership with CALFIRE Boggs Mountain was outstanding,” said Master Sergeant Jeremy Campbell, 571st MSAS Weapons and Tactics Flight Chief. “The professionalism and technical expertise of the entire Boggs Mountain team was evident throughout their collaboration for the exercise. We could not otherwise replicate the invaluable hands-on experience of rapid personnel evacuation. In turn, the partnership was mutually beneficial, as CALFIRE crews practiced hoisting each of the Airmen, critical for their proficiency heading into the busy summer season.

The 571st MSAS regularly conducts such exercises in diverse environments, from remote rural locations to densely populated urban centers, to maintain readiness for global mobility support missions across a spectrum of biomes including coastal and tropical regions. These exercises underscore the unit’s commitment to preparing airmen for diverse operational challenges while fostering interagency cooperation.