Base exercises to follow adjusted format

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  With the recent reassignment of the 325th Fighter Wing to Air Combat Command, base exercises will undergo some changes to prepare Airmen to meet the requirements of the new major command.

According to Tyndall officials, the adjusted format will focus on ensuring Airmen stay sharp in meeting all requirements needed for an operational, combat-capable force.

"Exercises here will take on a different focus," said Frank LaBroad, 325th FW chief of exercise plans. "We will still practice emergency response, but being part of ACC now requires we train to that capability also."

Some changes to expect are increased activity on exercise days to include: additional traffic, increased use of "giant voice" and warning sirens, as well as the potential for increased flying.

"The base is increasing in size with the addition of almost 1,000 new Airmen, so that could mean additional traffic on exercise days," he said. "During Operational Readiness Exercises we will use the giant voice system more often to broadcast various announcements; the giant voice can sometimes be heard outside the gates, but generally messages are kept short."

ACC is the primary force provider of combat airpower to America's warfighting commands. To support the global implementation of national security strategy, ACC operates fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, battle-management, and electronic-combat aircraft. It also provides command, control, communications and intelligence systems, and conducts global information operations. As a force provider, ACC organizes, trains, equips and maintains combat-ready forces for rapid deployment and employment while ensuring strategic air defense forces are ready to meet the challenges of peacetime air sovereignty and wartime air defense.

"The training mission at Tyndall will continue even with the reassignment to ACC," said Maj. Stuart Williamson, 325th FW chief of plans and programs. "The exercise program will make sure Airmen are prepared and have realistic training before they get to a combat theater."

Exercises provide opportunities to validate training effectiveness and provides opportunities to make changes where needed with minimal risk to personnel and property. Tyndall will continue to hold a minimum of one exercise per quarter and scenarios will vary.

"The goal of every exercise is to ensure Airmen are trained to depart to an operational theater quickly and efficiently, to survive when they get there and to win," said LaBroad. "That is the bottom line, that is why we do this."