|
Blackanthem Military News
|
Last Updated:
Mar 10, 2010 - 7:17:19 PM |
|
|
AF expeditionary units participate in inaugural Turkey Shoot training competition
By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente, 36th Wing Public Affairs
Aug 21, 2009 - 7:30:57 PM
|
Email this article
Printer friendly page
|
Blackanthem Military News
 |
| A F-22 Raptor approaches the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker to refuel over the Pacific Ocean Aug. 13. KC-135 Stratotankers, F-22 Raptors and B-52 Stratofortress bombers took part in the 2009 Inaugural Turkey Shoot, which allows air expeditionary units to plan and execute tactical missions with airframes that don't regularly train together. The F-22s are deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, to Andersen AFB, Guam, to support U.S. Pacific Command's Theater Security Package in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Bush) |
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam - Three Air Force expeditionary flying units here participated in the 2009 Inaugural Turkey Shoot Training Competition, which allows expeditionary units to plan and execute tactical missions with airframes that don't regularly train together, Aug. 11-13.
The expeditionary units are deployed here in support of U.S. Pacific Command's Continuous Bomber Presence and Theater Security Package in the Asia-Pacific Region. The three teams, from the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron and the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, were comprised of four F-22 Raptors, four B-52 Stratofortresses and one KC-135 Stratotanker.
"The purpose of the competition was to get all 36th Wing flying assets together in an exercise, so we can learn to employ together," said Capt. David Wright, deployed here with the 525th EFS as a F-22 Raptor pilot and a planner for the Inaugural Turkey Shoot coordination team. "What we wanted to do is get everybody together, present a tactical problem to the entire group, so we would have to plan it out as a group, solve it as a group and then execute it as a group."
The training competition, which was conducted on an uninhabited island north of Saipan, presented tactical challenges that required the team to have four B-52s release 24 bombs on target during the mock exercise. The F-22s provided offensive-counter air allowing the B-52s to reach the target and return to the installation safely, enabling the bombers to focus on putting the bombs on target, on time.
"The tactical problem [presented] a long strike route, and they were spaced out pretty far apart," Captain Wright said. "What that means is that we have to take the four F-22s and spend a long time in the airspace. So we have to plan appropriately to manage our fuel and weapons to keep the B-52s safe the entire time. It was a difficult tactical problem."
Captain Wright has participated in similar training events in the past, which range from working with one airframe to working with several different types of airframes.
"What it really comes down to is the planning," he said. "The point is to get everybody together and force them to come up with a solution to the problem as a team."
The refueling squadron was challenged with offloading 60,000 pounds of fuel for their team of fighters and bombers.
Capt. Adam Walker, a KC-135 Stratotanker co-pilot with the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, was a part of the first team who flew here Aug. 11.
"I thought it was pretty interesting," Captain Walker said. "It was the first time I refueled F-22s. It's a pretty neat airplane especially to see up close. I really enjoyed being able to take part of the exercise."
Captain Walker said being involved with the exercise was unique.
"You don't normally [coordinate with different airframes] from home station," he said. "It's neat to coordinate with them and see how they mission plan, and then actually go out and accomplish the mission. Normally, you leave your base and fly your mission, and they leave their base and meet you. You don't really have much interaction."
Many aircrew members involved in the competition said getting to see the capabilities of the F-22 airframe was a beneficial experience.
"I thought it was an awesome experience getting to see how the F-22s employ in a simulated combat environment," said Capt. Michael Stepan, 96th EBS electronic warfare officer. "It was definitely a valuable experience for everyone involved. I invaluable knowledge that I can use later on should I go to combat."
In September, 506th EARS will return to March Air Reserve Base, Calif., and 525th EFS will return to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The 96th EBS will return to Barksdale AFB, La., in October once the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron arrives to support the Continuous Bomber Presence.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
 |
| A F-22 Raptor approaches the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker to refuel over the Pacific Ocean Aug. 13. KC-135 Stratotankers, F-22 Raptors and B-52 Stratofortress bombers took part in the 2009 Inaugural Turkey Shoot, which allows air expeditionary units to plan and execute tactical missions with airframes that don't regularly train together. The F-22s are deployed from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, to Andersen AFB, Guam, to support U.S. Pacific Command's Theater Security Package in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Bush) |
|
 |
| A B-52 Stratofortress bomber approaches for a refueling over the Pacific Ocean Aug. 13. KC-135 Stratotankers, F-22 Raptors and B-52 Stratofortress bombers took part in a Turkey Shoot competition, which allows air expeditionary units to plan and execute tactical missions with airframes that don't regularly train together. The B-52's are deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., to Andersen AFB, Guam, to support U.S. Pacific Command's Continuous Bomber Presence in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Christopher Bush) |
|
 |
| A B-52 Stratofortress from the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron takes off from here to participate in the 2009 Inaugural Turkey Shoot exercise Aug. 13. KC-135 Stratotankers, F-22 Raptors and B-52 Stratofortress bombers took part in an exercise to create tactical exercise problems and solve them together as a team. The B-52's are deployed from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., to Andersen AFB, Guam, to support U.S. Pacific Command's Continuous Bomber Presence in the Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Courtney Witt) |
|
 |
| A B-52 Stratofortress from the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron waits on the taxi-way as a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron takes off during the 2009 Inaugural Turkey Shoot exercise here Aug. 13. KC-135 Stratotankers, F-22 Raptors and B-52 Stratofortress bombers took part in an exercise to create tactical exercise problems and solve them together as a team. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Courtney Witt) |
|
Comments
NO Soliciting.
Comments with links to websites or soliciting services will be removed.
Please read our Terms of use for more information.
|
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
