37th AS lead joint airborne training, keep Airmen mission-ready

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Lane T. Plummer
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

The 37th Airlift Squadron carried approximately 300 Airmen from the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron as well as a Container Delivery System in a C-130J Super Hercules and successfully dropped them over their destination during a Joint Airborne/Air Transportability Training exercise June 30, 2016, in Grostenquin, France.

The 435th Contingency Response Group and the 37th Airlift Squadron often participate in JA/ATT training missions throughout every month to maintain mission readiness.

 

These events allow the 37th AS to assess airfield capabilities for Airmen participating so that when real-world events arise where these skill sets are required, they will be able to carry them out successfully.

 

According to Capt. Doug Mabe, 37th AS pilot, the event is a form of confirmation to the Airmen participating.

 

“These JA/ATT’s are a way for us to validate our purpose for when these exercises turn into real-world events,” said Mabe. “It’s a test of our communicative abilities as much as it is our individual skills, regardless of career field.”

 

According to Staff Sgt. Derek Halverson, 435th Security Forces Squadron close precision engagement team leader and primary jumpmaster of the exercise, one of the obstacles Airmen wanted to overcome was the communication barriers that sometimes inhibit job effectiveness during real-world missions.

 

“We want to assess our capabilities as a whole with multiple Air Force Specialty Codes, squadrons and branches working hand-in-hand to fulfill mission requirements,” said Mabe. “This is another communication obstacle in the real world that we want to address. With these JA/ATT’s, we hope to strengthen our relationships to prevent as many communicative mishaps as we can in the operating world.”

 

Upholding a standard of excellence is part of the tradition of the 37th AS, and with JA/ATT training missions, they are able to effectively employ air power and continue to develop their capabilities to complete the mission.