Team Ramstein tests readiness with Wing Thunder 16-03

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Leslie Keopka
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Team Ramstein participated in a base-wide inspection from April 17 to 27.

Wing Thunder 16-03 tested operational readiness and communication skills amongst several units on Kaiserslautern Military Community installations.

There was a simulated base- missile attack scenario, April 26, which involved several first responders, such as the fire department, security forces, explosives ordinance device's team and medical personnel.

"This exercise tested muscles we haven't used in a while," said Brig. Gen. Jon T. Thomas, 86th Airlift Wing commander. "We intentionally used a unique situation to better test the adaptability and responsiveness of our Airmen."

Inspections and exercises are a way for military units and personnel to ensure they are prepared for any real-world scenario.

"The overall goal of Wing Thunder 16-03 was to increase installation preparedness and resiliency in case of a conventional missile attack," said Lt. Col. Bryan Doctker, 86th AW inspector general. "All of the installation's major-muscle movements associated with passive missile defense and post-attack actions were exercised."

These situations help to point out any areas needing additional training and processes that may not be as effective in a real-world situation.

"We continuously strive to become better at our processes and training," said Thomas. "Team Ramstein continues to prepare themselves with the knowledge and equipment to overcome any situation and have the ability to respond rapidly to meet any challenge we're given."

The ten-day inspection included functions such as loading cargo on a C-130J Super Hercules, prepping Airmen with individual protective equipment, setting up a predeployment line to process personnel and several other base-wide entities.

"One of the best outcomes in any exercise is to watch the men and women of the installation work together, be it from first responders, to Post Attack Reconnaissance team (PAR) teams conducting self-aid buddy care checks, to the Crisis Action Team and Emergency Operations Center working in cohesion to bring the exercise to a logical conclusion," said Dockter. "You can bet that the installation will exercise this scenario again with an eye to execute even better than we did this time."