Photo By Master Sgt. Kellen Kroening | An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing, Aviano Air Base, Italy,...... read more read more
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AVIANO AIR BASE, ITALY — Today’s deployed military environments are constantly evolving, and the U.S. Air Force depends on total force integration to be successful in all operations. TFI means that the Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve components are able to fully integrate their workflows and operations to provide agile, combat-ready forces. The trifecta of cohesion in theater requires practice of this total force initiative during joint unit training and exercises.
To enhance their readiness to adapt, train and integrate, aircrews and maintenance personnel with the 128th Air Refueling Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard, conducted aerial refueling training missions at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Oct. 25 through Nov. 8, 2018.
“Joint force training mirrors a deployed tasking,” said Maj. Tamela Demik, a KC-135 instructor pilot with the 128 ARW. “Here in Aviano, we’re functioning like we would overseas doing sorties every day, working with other units and with another country.”
While training in Italy, the 128 ARW Airmen worked alongside fighter pilots, operations support staff, maintenance personnel, and logistics readiness personnel all assigned to the 31st Fighter Wing at Aviano AB to execute the aerial refueling. Although there are some differences between active duty and the Air National Guard, Airmen benefit from collaborating as they experience training outside of normal, day-to-day operations.
“With a steady stream of new pilots into the squadron and limited opportunities to participate in this joint training, pilots of all skills levels benefit from it,” said Capt. Dave ‘Dice’ Brady, a pilot from the 31st Fighter Wing. “Over the last three days, we sent 36 aircraft to the 128th tanker contributing to 25 of our pilots updating their air-to-air refueling currency. The proficiency of the boom operators, as well as their patience with newer pilots on the boom, is commendable.”
Total force missions also prove to be cost effective due to the Air Force components consolidating training requirements and sharing resources to complete the mission.
“Two units training together is always cost effective, not only because of resources, but because units save time and manpower by working together, saving tax dollars,” said Demik.
Air Mobility Command manages an inventory of 396 KC-135 Stratotankers and the Guard and Reserve flies more than 60% of that fleet.
“Active duty Air Force leans very heavily on the Guard and Reserve to meet operation requirements,” said Demik. “Even though we are Guard, taking this extra time away from home to train overseas is absolutely necessary.”
The Airmen of the 128 ARW are committed to maintaining mission readiness, sometimes even if it means dedicating more time than their traditional, part-time commitment.
“Air-to-air refueling is one of the of the essential joint missions we rely on,” said Brady. “We always appreciate the support and training we get out of the 128 ARW and will continue to welcome them back.”
The Air Force is continually evolving as total force integration strengthens Airmen from all backgrounds to create a more efficient, skilled, and adaptable deploying force.
“After training missions like these we always come back better than before,” said Demik. “We improve our relationships with other units and countries, we improve as a crew, and we come back even more ready to go.”
| Date Taken: | 11.14.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 11.14.2018 15:48 |
| Story ID: | 300008 |
| Location: | MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, US |
| Web Views: | 232 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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