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RAF LAKENHEATH, United Kingdom - A downed pilot in a large, open
field is surrounded by threats and is in need of a swift recovery.
On this cold and dreary day, F-15E Strike Eagles dismantle
radar threats above as F-15C Eagles assist with air-to-air combat
defense.
This exercise was the combat search and rescue task
force scenario that took place near Hinderclay, England, Feb. 4,
2016.
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U.S. Air Force Capt. Jason Beck, 56th Rescue Squadron HH-60G Pave Hawk pilot, plays the role of a survivor during a combat search and rescue task force training exercise near Hinderclay, England, Feb. 4, 2016. The training focused on simulated threat and rescue techniques and involved various squadrons and personnel assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing and 100th Air Refueling Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo
by Senior Airman Erin Trower)
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The 48th Fighter Wing's 493rd and 494th Fighter
Squadrons, 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons, along with 100th
Air Refueling Wing air support, participated in the CSAR
training exercise to gain expertise and practice real-world
deployment scenarios.
“We try to make these
exercises as realistic as possible using stuff we see in the
real-world and rolling it into the scenario,” said Staff
Sgt. Rob Blume, 56th RQS intelligence noncommissioned
officer in charge.br>
CSAR
exercises are scheduled monthly to maintain the squadrons'
proficiency in their rescue capabilities.
“This is a
great way to test our skills and gain proficiency in the
CSAR mission, which is vital to not only our own flying
missions, but to our allied forces who depend on our ability
to rescue them if they go down behind enemy lines,” said
Staff Sgt. Joseph Bland, 56th RQS special missions aviator.
It's crucial for the rescue squadrons to participate in
exercises which allow them to communicate, discover and
execute threats, coordinate air-to-air fights and recover
survivors, to include NATO allies
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“We've worked with
Royal Air Force units in the past,” Blume said. “When we
deploy, we don't just deploy with the U.S. [Other countries]
may not be as up-to-speed on personal recovery as we are,
but if we can expose them to that training, it will help in
the event that we have to employ.”
Each CSAR mission
is focused around which assets are participating and what
benefit they're trying to get out of the exercise.
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U.S. Air Force
Pararescuemen assigned to the 57th Rescue Squadron climb into an HH-60G Pave Hawk during a combat search and rescue task force training exercise near Hinderclay, England, Feb. 4, 2016. The training simulated a downed pilot in a hostile environment that required employment of 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons personnel for recovery assistance. (U.S. Air Force photo
by Senior Airman Erin Trower)
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“[This training] helps with interoperability within the
wing,” Blume said. “When the F-15s here deploy, they may not
deploy with us and may be tasked with a rescue event
downrange. We don't want that to be a new thing for them.
It's good to expose as many people as possible to this type
of training.”
According to Blume, the British
community has been very helpful with facilitating the
training.
The exercise took place on a local land
owner's field that provides an open area suitable for
training.
“A lot of coordination goes into our
training sites to ensure we have the lowest impact on the
civilian population, but still are able to get quality
training out of our practice mission,” Bland stated. “We
rely on land owners who allow us to use their property so
that we have many different options for training, all with
their own individual challenges.”
By U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Erin Trower
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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