Photo By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cooper | U.S. service members work together to position cargo in support of exercise Cope...... read more read more
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CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines -- What does it take to make a large-scale Air Force exercise happen? Many Airmen who participate in such exercises are only aware of their role and may not have time to familiarize themselves with the logistics of each aspect.
A team from Pacific Air Forces A37 Operations are completely familiar with Cope Thunder 23-2, a PACAF-sponsored exercise, which integrates U.S. and Philippine Air Forces; CT 23-2 requires in-depth planning, execution and adaptability. CT 23-2 began on July 2, and continues through July 21, near Clark Air Base, Mactan Air Base, and other areas within the Philippines.
Before the exercise begins and participants arrive, a logistics team of Airmen and civilians is already in country getting things ready.
“We are the first boots on ground, setting up the theater, ensuring that we have the right components for our people in the area of responsibility,” said Master Sgt. Wryan Elam, PACAF A-37 Operations exercises and aerial events planner. “We don’t just set everything up, we tear it down and sustain it during the course of the exercise.”
The exercise planners may not always participate directly, but their involvement in CT 23-2 ensures everyone else is able to get their mission accomplished.
“Once the exercise begins, our job is to make sure folks have all their requirements,” Elam said. “We communicate with different units and discern whether an item is: within budget, reasonable and a need or a want. From there we contact vendors, contractors or whoever we have to and make it happen.”
Large endeavors like planning and sustaining CT 23-2 cannot be accomplished by one individual.
“It's all a team effort, it’s not just me, I know I couldn't do this without my team,” said Elam. “We have just enough time to execute the mission, and to do it in a timely and proficient manner, the only way to accomplish the mission is with a team.”
Adaptability and proper communication can be the difference between a smoothly run exercise and more difficult one.
“Establishing clear lines of communication is essential when building trust with local vendors,” said Senior Airman Tulay Urganci, 673rd Contracting Squadron contracting officer. “With strong relationships we can ensure our members receive the equipment they need, it’s not always what we asked for, but with good communication we can adapt to fulfill the requirements when challenges arise.”
Sustaining CT 23-2 may be viewed as a daunting task prone to creating stress, however, such tasks can bring feelings of fulfillment as well.
“I enjoy being able to see what I've accomplished from cradle to grave. Logistics planners don't always get to see all the aspects of their work, but I plan the location, sustain the location and bring it back,” said Elam. “I’m appreciative of the fact that only a few of us in the Air Force get the opportunity to go to the Philippines and execute an exercise while sustaining communications with local vendors and the Philippine Air Force.”
For the planners of CT 23-2 their objective is more than just a successful exercise.
“From a logistics perspective we're learning from the previous exercise, every time we are trying to improve,” Elam explained. “On a larger scale we want to strengthen our ties with the Philippine Air Force ensuring everyone is on the same page and we're not disrespecting any of their standards or procedures, everything is done by the book.”
Exercises like CT 23-2 enhance interoperability between the U.S. and Philippine Air Forces contributing to the long-term advancement of both nations’ shared interests. The Airmen and civilians behind the scenes work tirelessly to help integrate U.S. service members with their Philippine Allies ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.
| Date Taken: | 07.09.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 07.20.2023 14:53 |
| Story ID: | 449585 |
| Location: | CLARK AIR BASE, PH |
| Web Views: | 490 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Behind Cope Thunder 23-2: First in last out, by SSgt Benjamin Cooper, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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