The 142nd Fighter Wing conducts dual readiness exercise

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. John Hughel
  • 142nd Fighter Wing/Public Affairs
Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore. --  PORTLAND, Oregon – The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing focused their attention on combat readiness and emergency response training during the unit Regularly Scheduled Drill (RSD), September 8-9, 2018, at the Portland Air National Guard Base, Portland, Oregon.

The training exercise main emphasis tested the Airmen’s ability to work in high-tempo and mission operational scenarios wearing protective ‘MOPP Gear’ (Mission Oriented Protective Posture), simulating toxic environments after a possible chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear strike. The second day of the exercise focused on a simulated F-15 aircraft accident.

A crucial element the training examined the ability of the unit to function proficiently in hostile and combat environments. Updating and issuing gear to all the Airmen and while working on the basics allowed the entire Wing to refresh and sharpen skills.

“A big emphasis of the training is to familiarize ourselves the gear, wearing it properly, and then working (in simulation) in extreme environments,” Col. Adam Sitler, 142nd Fighter Wing commander.

The simulated chemical warfare environment had Airmen launching and recovering the Wing’s F-15 Eagles, to include generating maintenance procedures, loading missiles, refueling operations and flight crew tasks. The exercise also included night flying training, allowing Drill Status Guardsmen to work alongside the full-time staff.

As the first day transitioned into day two, Sitler said that the Airmen responded well to the challenges in the exercise.

“This training allows us to evaluate mission readiness for wartime and deployed assignments,” said Sitler.

The second day of training shifted the emphasis to base Firefighting and EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) teams responding to a variety of circumstances with an aircraft accident on the Airbase.

As the two-days of training concluded, Wing leadership was able to evaluate accomplishments and areas of emphasis for future readiness exercises, all the while, keeping the all-current mission postures operational.