252nd Combat Communications Conducts Tactical Training
Story by SrA Angela Bergesen; Photos by MSgt Jeff Myers & SrA Angela Bergesen - Posted Dec, 2004
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This exercise, which took almost a year to plan and implement, put members of the 252nd Combat Communications Group through a series of realistic combat scenarios, during just over two weeks at Camp Rilea.
They demonstrated their expertise setting up their satellite communication systems, protecting themselves from terrorists, and qualifying on weapons they'll use on deployments to protect America.
Colonel Neil A. Currie, WAANG Commander of the 252 Combat Communications Group and Learning Owl 2004 explained, Participation in learning activities like these gave our men and women the crucial skills that ultimately will provide expertise in achieving the maximum level of deployable tactical capability. Our team is a group of individuals with incredible technological knowledge and they are here at this years annual training event because when they are deployed, they need to know how to get in, get out and, by God, make it home safe.
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This year, in response to conflict abroad, the Washington Air National Guard provided opportunities to participate in a multitude of training forums, in and outside of the typical classroom setting. Inside the classroom, Guard members learned first hand from guest speakers who shared highlights in their professional experiences as they presented awareness briefings related to international events affecting the Guard nation wide.
Daily activities also included intense technical training on new communications equipment and focused on specific combat communication operations. Outside the classes, in mock cities, and in bunkers and riding along in vulnerable convoy trucks, students expertly demonstrated what they had just learned during intense field exercises and mobility training events.
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The 252 Combat Communications Readiness School, with Lead Instructor Master Sergeant Michael L. Billheimer, provided a two week force protection course, which is one of the most demanding, realistic training environments available anywhere. In addition to demanding academics, students focused on developing leadership, basic survival, physical fitness and war fighting tactics.
Students tested their skills during a three-day field training exercise (FTX) with a defined mission to build and eventually defend an airbase. Realistic scenarios, real time communication uplinks and simulated snipers tested their ability in a wartime atmosphere. Electronic engagement equipment or weapons, loaded with blank ammunition simulated kills during battlefield conditions where opposing and friendly forces waged war.
This course seized every opportunity to move students out of the classrooms and into field, practicing anti-terrorism tactics and protective measures against enemy attack. All of the opportunities in and outside the classroom during Learning Owl 2004 were designed to enhance the ability of each individual to effectively participate as member of the Air Force if and when they are called to active duty.
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Maj. Gen. Welsh, Detachment Commander for the 256 Combat Communications Squadron (CBCS), which is a component of the 252 Combat Communications Group also served as the Commandant of Learning Owl 2004. When discussing the significance of this training exercise he relates, "We face a completely different situation today in our battles against terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq then we did when we trained to fight in the Cold War. Principally, there are no front lines to hide behind in our conflicts with terrorists. They strike everywhere, and at anyone. Our highly trained communications experts need to know how to survive in a low-tech war if they are to be effective. Therefore, we are doing everything we can to ensure we are sending our men and women into conflicts they are trained to fight.
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The combat readiness instruction received at Camp Rilea this year is purposefully patterned after the types of conflict situations our Air Guard members are encountering in Iraq and Afghanistan right now. We're responding to these conditions by emphasizing ground combat skills and an array of convoy strategies, as those are the critical skill sets keeping our forces alive. A direct result of this training is, they are absolutely more prepared to accomplish technology based missions supporting the global war on terrorism."
In the end, Colonel Currie believes, It was a physically, emotionally and mentally intensive two weeks for everyone, and time well spent. I believe each will look back upon this event and consider it advantageous.
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