108th CRG strives to become JTF-PO qualified through Eagle Flag

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez
  • 108th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The 108th Contingency Response Group is a rapid-deployment unit designed at the initiative of Air Force leadership to be a first-in force that will secure an airfield, establish and maintain field operations.

Tailored for a specific mission, the CRG incorporates more than 20 military specialties and it comprises approximately a 120-person unit ready for deployment around the globe with no more than 12 hours notice.

From their inception in 2008 into a contingency response group, the 108th CRG's goal has been to become fully operational capable certified as soon as possible. This past week, they took another step towards that goal, as they participated in an exercise designed to strengthen their capabilities, exercise Eagle Flag 2011 at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.

"We achieved initial operation capable status after Eagle Flag 2010," said Senior Master Sgt. Grieg Moore, 108th CRG Security Forces flight commander. "Now we want to be FOL certified."

The 2010 exercise, which was also held here at JB MDL, called for a play scenario in which the 108th CRG was tasked with opening an air base and provided humanitarian relief after a hurricane passed through an area on the East coast.

Changing the scenario, Eagle Flag 2011 tasked the New Jersey Air National Guard unit into a Joint Task Force Port Opening operation. Along with active duty components from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., the 633rd Mission Support Group and the Army's 688th Rapid Port Opening Element, the JTF-PO operation required these units to deploy to a fictional region somewhere of the north eastern coast of Africa and rapidly open and establish an aerial port of debarkation in the country of Nessor which would allow for additional forces into the region. Operation Scorpion, as the fictitious operation was called, was a joint coalition effort between U.S. armed forces and local Nessorian military to counter terrorism operations and bring stability to the region.

For the Army's 688th RPOE, the training done during the week was critical as they were looking for certification as a JTF-PO operational capable element, said Army Maj. Joe Borovicka, commanding officer of the 688th RPOE.

"Tons of lessons were learned during the exercise," said Borovicka. "We needed to identify our strengths and weaknesses and get better for the next alert cycle."

On the other hand, for the 108th CRG, this scenario allowed them to "be part of an exercise in which we used our own equipment and personnel," said Lt. Col. Lawrence Klein, 108th Global Mobility Readiness Squadron commander. "This Eagle Flag was a readiness exercise; next year's Eagle Flag will be to validate us as JTF-PO qualified."

Pfc. Eric Duran, 688th RPOE cargo specialist, said he was glad to be helping the 108th eventually achieve certification.

The Pico Rivera, Cal., resident did his part by transporting numerous pieces of cargo from the APOD to a forward node.

"I've put in approximately 100 miles per day, travelling back and forth on this operation," said Duran. "This is good training."

The help reciprocity went both ways: When the 688th RPOE found themselves short of drivers during one of the missions, 108th CRG Capt. Joseph Schultz stepped up. Since he had prior service with the Army and was trained on the Hemmet, Schultz quickly familiarized himself with the truck and went out on a convoy with the Army unit. This allowed them to continue their mission without any interruption.

As both units move into the direction of eventually becoming JTF-PO qualified, they understood the importance of working together.

"The 108th were excellent to work with," said Borovicka. "I would go on alert with them any time."

And those were the sentiments of Col. Robert Brazel, the 108th CRG commander.

"I hope this becomes a long lasting relationship," said Brazel.