Photo By Tech. Sgt. Michael Campbell | 366th Fighter Wing military affairs committee and civic leader members pose for a...... read more read more
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More than 30 military affairs committee members and civic leaders associated with the 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base (MHAFB), Idaho, observed first-hand how the 266th Range Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard trains military members with their capabilities of simulating air-to-ground operations at Saylor Creek range, Idaho, June 26, 2019.
The tour visually showed members how the Air Force range consistently trains and prepares Airmen for global operations.
Members watched as the 266th RANS demonstrated targeted exercises with A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft flying maneuvers.
“The training exercise was impressive to see as they displayed air maneuvers and I now understand what it takes for them to get prepared to go down range," said Robby Robinson, board member of the military affairs committee.
As the patrons observed the open skies at the range, the A-10s approached the targets at high speeds, accurately hitting their targets with non-explosive inert rounds.
Participants toured a full range of equipment, received military tank rides and had the opportunity to view the exercise from the ranges tower during the air-to-ground demonstrations.
"The local community and civic leaders are vital to the success of military bases and ranges,” said Lt. Col. Jay Labrum, 266th RANS commander. “Getting them out on a training range allows us to show them Air Force training up close and personal. This ultimately enhances their perspective of Air Force training so when they advocate for us, they have that first-hand vantage point.”
Louis Hougaard, Idaho governor’s policy advisor, said, tours like these demonstrate the partnership the state has with the U.S. Air Force.
The airspace, or the air available for the aircraft to fly through, in combination with the terrain below it, make for a unique and valuable training area in which pilots learn techniques that keep themselves and their crews alive and effective in combat.
“MHAFB works very closely with multiple agencies as well as our concerned citizens to ensure we are good stewards of the land,” Labrum said. “We understand that the Saylor Creek range is a precious resource that must be very carefully managed so we can continue to utilize it well into the future.”
Showcasing training exercises to leaders in the community is an opportunity for transparency and communication in community affairs.
"What I appreciated in the demonstration was seeing the capabilities of the Air Force,” Hougaard said. “Partnerships with the National Guard, Air Guard, and the Air Force, including the air demonstration from the A-10’s were an impressive parts of the tour.”
As the tour ended, Labrum explained the importance of training exercises, range procedures for the pilots and range safety to the participants of the tour.
“Mountain Home has a great community,” Labrum said. “We want to keep these tours going and want to continue making them informative and exciting each time.”
Overall, Labrum expressed gratitude to the civic leaders and military affairs committee for their commitment to making MHAFB a great place to serve.
“One of the reasons that Mountain Home range complex is so special is the synergistic effect of total force integration between the active duty 366 FW Airmen and civilians and the Airmen of the 266th Range Squadron,” Labrum said. “No other Air Force primary training range has this unique integration capability, which ultimately enhances aircrew training to the next level.”
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.30.2019 17:54 |
| Story ID: | 330140 |
| Location: | MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, IDAHO, US |
| Web Views: | 74 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Military Affairs, Civic Leaders Tour Mountain Home’s Saylor Creek Range, by TSgt Michael Campbell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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