Dynamic Weasel sharpens force

  • Published
  • By Tarsha Storey
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The exercise Operation Dynamic Weasel will take place here Dec. 2 and will involve aircraft from multiple bases and first-time challenges.

The exercise is designed to sharpen tactics, techniques and procedural skills while practicing for combat situations, said Maj. Anthony Roberson, 20th Operations Support Squadron director of operations. It will simulate combat operations taking place in Southwest Asia.

It will also combine the abilities of the F-16CJ, B-1, B-2, A-10, F-15E, E-3, RC-135 and KC-10 in a diverse threat environment. The participating aircraft are from Dyess, McGuire, Pope, Seymour Johnson, Shaw, Offutt, Tinker and Whiteman Air Force bases and McEntire Air National Guard Station.

During the exercise, Maj. Roberson said there will be a unique Link-16 large force employment involving all aircraft. The Link-16 is a tactical digital information link integrated in the F-16.

This will be the first time a B-2 participates in a Link-16 exercise, said Maj. Roberson.

Operation Dynamic Weasel will also be the first block 50 F-16 operational evaluation of the Fighter Aircraft Command and Control Enhancement pods. The FACE pods allow beyond-the-line-of-sight communications via a system using a satellite phone, a receiver and transmitter, said Capt. Tim Sehnem, 20th OSS counter land programs chief.

During the exercise, multiple units will engage with aircraft, while several other Shaw squadrons provide support. The units include the 609th Combat Operations Squadron, Training Air Operations Center, 609th Air Intelligence Squadron, 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron tactical air controllers and the 20th Fighter Wing Operations Center. There will also be an integration of the air operations center, air support operations center and the airborne command and control.

"An objective (of the exercise) is to achieve battle space effects in accordance with combined force air component commander airlift operations directives and air tasking orders," said Maj. Roberson.

The combined force air component commander for the exercise will be Col. Jerry D. Harris, 20th Operations Group commander.

Maj. Roberson said the simulated threat environment will include not only Shaw's airspace, but also Poinsett's electronic combat and gunnery ranges, the Gamecock and Bulldog military operations areas as well as the refueling tracks in the over-water and over-land airspaces.

"This exercise will test and further develop our abilities as fighters and Airmen, by placing our force within a simulated dynamic combat situation. It will also allow us to integrate operations and apply technology to war fighting," said Col. Bill Hyatt, 20th Fighter Wing commander.