'Rockets' participate in joint training exercise

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Airmen with the 336th Fighter Squadron geared-up for their upcoming air and space expeditionary force rotation by participating in a joint Battle Rhythm Exercise here Aug. 2-4.

The "Rockets" spent the week honing the skills they need to work with conventional and special operations joint tactical air controllers; fly with F-16 Fighting Falcons, E-3 Sentries, E-8C Joint Stars and KC-135 Stratotankers; and employ their weapons systems.

"This exercise will expose us to the AEF mindset and how to integrate with other assets," said Capt. Frank Fryar, 336th FS operations flight commander.

Exercise participants included the active-duty Airmen, Reservist, Guardsmen and Soldiers from as far away as Oklahoma, in specialties ranging from special tactics to aerial refueling. To increase the reality of the exercise, participants worked on real world timelines that mirror deployed flight operations, maintenance turns, weapons reloading and schedules.

"The exercise simulated as best we could the battle rhythm we will see in support of our AEF," said Royal Air Force Flight Lt. Peter Walker, 336th FS pilot.

The wide range of participants in this exercise reflects what aircrews are likely to experience when called into action in the area of responsiblity.

"When you start throwing more players into a situation it gets more complicated don't really know what (capabilities everyone brings) until you get a chance to work with them," said Capt. Ben Wedekemper, 336th FS pilot. "Seeing that before hand is really going to speed up the process once we get into the country."

An exercise component the F-15E aircrews are very familiar with is answering calls for close air support from joint tactical air controllers.

"We train on a regular basis with JTACs throughout the year while at home station," Captain Fryar said. "Typically we do not focus as many CAS sorties throughout the year, but we must remain current in executing CAS procedures. This is important because of the current war in which we are engaged. We are still prepared to meet any task set forth by the President of the United States and right now, this is the task at hand."

A new element the F-15E pilots were able to utilize for this exercise was the joint helmet-mounted cueing system.

"We have been training with the JHMCS for several months and we are looking forward to using this sensor to increase our capabilities," Captain Fryar said.

As the Airman wrapped up this Battle Rhythm Exercise they were not slowing down, instead they were remaining focused on their upcoming deployment tasking.

"We're looking forward to integrating with all of these AEF assets," Captain Fryar said.

Captain Wedekemper agreed, "The most rewarding part of the exercise really is what we are leading up to. Our whole career is based on training to do things right. We know we are in the final stages (of AEF prepreation), this is kind of a graduation exercise for (aircrew) and maintainers to go do what we signed up to do."