Tinker aircrews take part in Red Flag exercise

  • Published
  • By Kimberly Woodruff
  • Staff Writer
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Members of Tinker Air Force Base's 552nd Air Control Wing proved their mettle during an intense simulated combat training exercise that took place July 13 through July 31.

The 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron "Vikings," 552nd Air Control Network Squadron and 552nd Maintenance Group returned July 31 from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, where the Airborne Warning and Control Systems, or AWACS Block 40/45, the aircraft's newest computer system upgrade, was employed for the first time during the exercise.

Two crews and two E-3 aircraft deployed in support of Red Flag 15-3, where combat aircrews and their air control network squadron teammates worked together, trained to fight and employed the aircraft's enhanced command and control battle management system.

In running an intense air and ground exercise, the crews honed their ability to train, integrate and discuss what they learned in a highly complex exercise environment.

Lt. Col. Andrew West, detachment commander for the Vikings, said the crews were challenged right from the start.

"Everyone had to work hard to make this a successful exercise," West said. "The crews learned a lot about Air Force deployment and integration of other assets."

The Red Flag exercise also coincided with the 25-year anniversary of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and served as a reminder that AWACS has exercised a near-continuous presence in the Southwest Asia theater dating back to the 1980's.

"Training exercises like Red Flag ensure we as a wing are combat-ready," said Lt. Col. Kristen Thompson, 960th AACS commander. "As the only Air Force platform to have this much near-consecutive time in theater, it's obvious to see what 'America's Wing' delivers for our nation."

Thompson said these types of exercises help the 552nd ACW continue to deliver world-class command and control -- at home station and in combat.

"The Airmen at the 552nd Air Control Wing are the premier command and control battle managers in the world, and we continue to build upon our vast experience from 30 years in theater," she said. "We are constantly reminded of this when we send our 552nd Airmen to exercises like Red Flag, where we see there is no substitute for AWACS and the capabilities we deliver at the tactical and operational levels of war."

All in all, 113 Tinker Airmen deployed to Red Flag and flew 71.9 hours across 11 exercise sorties, controlling more than 1,000 aircraft during the sortie periods.