Seymour Johnson AFB conducts exercise CW 16-01

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chuck Broadway
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  More than 1,000 Airmen at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina participated in exercise Coronet Warrior 16-01 Feb. 1-2, 2016 to assess readiness and mission effectiveness while in a chemical environment.

As part of the exercise, Airmen were inspected on their ability to operate while fending off simulated ground and air attacks causing mission oriented postures. There was also emphasis on testing information protection and cyber security.

After speaking to several different base agencies, members of the 4th Fighter Wing inspections team considered the exercise an overall success.

"The wing did really well," said Maj. John Decker, 4th FW director of exercise plans. "We threw real-world threats at the Airmen to see how they would react and they appreciated the realism of this exercise."

Decker added this exercise tested baseline processes as part of a "crawl, walk, run" mindset to preparing the wing for contingency operations. He called this exercise a "good repetition in the walk pace."

In addition to their normal mission requirements, Airmen donned MOPP gear while conducting post attack reconnaissance sweeps checking for simulated chemical contaminants, unexploded ordnance and enemy aggressors. Under enhanced stress and differing work conditions, Airmen successfully launched and recovered aircraft, completing their mission.

"(Airmen) did a great job generating aircraft and logistics readiness deploying the wing: It was a 'home run,'" said Master Sgt. Andrew Mathews, 4th FW chief of the wing inspections team. "You don't perform some deployment specific tasks at home station like you would downrange and it becomes a perishable skill."

As part of an overall plan to ensure maximum readiness and capabilities, Seymour Johnson AFB personnel are tested periodically on a number of scenarios. Anywhere from four to 10 different exercises occur each year assessing responses to major accidents, natural disasters and active shooters in addition to chemical environment operations.

"Our objective is to create scenarios to meet the commander's intent. We translate that intent into a viable scenario for the wing," said Mathews. "We'll tailor tasks throughout the year based on what we found this exercise and address areas of weakness."

The wing inspection team will now work on honing processes and improving readiness for future exercises ensuring the wing is capable and ready to answer the nation's call.