Dover exercise tests Airmen's combat environment skills

US Air Force,

by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

1/10/2008 – DOVER AIR FORCE BASE: Once fine tuned and sharpened with razor-edge precision, an ordinary axe became something magnificent during the Middle Ages. The battleaxe, a choice weapon due to its inexpensive cost and abundant availability, was a dangerous weapon on the battle fields of long ago.

The methods of warfare have evolved drastically over the years and weapons like swords and battleaxes have been replaced with modern armaments.

Still, in the spirit of an exercise partially named for the battleaxe, the men and women of the combined 436th and 512th Airlift wings proved to be more fined tuned and more precise than any weapon yielded when they showed their abilities to survive and operate in a combat environment during Exercise Haunted House Battle Ax in January here.

An Airman's ability to survive and operate during an attack was the focal point of the training, which was designed to prepare Airmen for the upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection in July.

“This was a great refresher,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Bravo, assigned to the 436th Aerial Port Squadron. “We were thrown into the mix several times, but responded quickly and with a good sense of urgency. We made some mistakes, and once even cordoned off an area much too large. Still, that's what we were here for — to learn.”

The first half day of the exercise was mainly briefings and classroom training sessions. The afternoon, the Battle Ax portion, was reserved for applying what was learned.

“Even seasoned Airmen — like me, who have been through several exercises — added additional experience,” he said. “The scenarios were difficult at times, which was why they were such a good learning experience, especially for the new Airmen.”

While the players were mainly active-duty Airmen, those who participated Jan. 5 and 6 were primarily reservists. All exercise participants were graded on how well they defended themselves and their assets against enemy aggressors.

As a six-month exercise scenario unfolded over a few short hours, participants learned how to prepare for an attack and what to do during and after an attack. Battle Ax coordinators divided Airmen into four different tents, and the servicemembers had to operate and defend their areas.

“Personnel were deliberately separated from members of their own organization and assigned to different tents,” said Lt. Col. Chris Cote, the 512th Airlift Wing readiness cell exercise planner. “We found that people from differing backgrounds excelled in one area but were not as proficient in others. With a variety of experience in different tents, they were able to work together and combine their knowledge to meet all challenges.”

Some of the obstacles included filling sand bags to surround the tents, learning radio call-in procedures and recognizing unexploded ordnance. In addition to assembling impromptu medical teams to aide the injured, Airmen also experienced a chemical invasion.

As simulated life-threatening green smoke seeped into the tents, members had only a few seconds to protect themselves with their gas masks.

“The training was very realistic,” Sergeant Devine said. “And the need for the training was evident as the day progressed.”

“The Haunted House Battle Ax exercise will be the first of many exercises we will conduct in 2008 to prepare for our summer ORI,” said Maj. Derek Salmi, the 436th Airlift Wing lead ORI planner.

“The training was very beneficial, not only for the inspection, but more importantly, in the event of an actual situation,” said Senior Master Sgt. Kelly Devine of the 709th Airlift Squadron.

(Master Sgt. Veronica Aceveda contributed to this article)