HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- More than 100 Airmen from the 419th Fighter Wing participated in Exercise Griffin Awakening, testing their ability to deploy and operate as an expeditionary combat unit in a contested environment. The two-day exercise was held during the June unit training assembly weekend, during which airmen from various units within the wing put their skills to the test, showcasing both strengths and areas requiring further development.
"Exercise Griffin Awakening proved our ability to quickly form an agile combat support force," said Col. Gregory M. Kuzma, 419th Mission Support Group Commander. "We assessed our readiness to deploy to an unfamiliar, austere location with minimal supervision, bringing us closer to becoming a combat wing.”
The exercise kicked off with a simulated recall, testing the wing's ability to assemble its Crisis Action Team (CAT) during a contingency. At the same time, Airmen assembled for the deployment processing line facilitated by the 419th Logistics Readiness Squadron. Once in-processing was complete, exercise participants were transported to the Base Operations Readiness Training Area (BORTA). This location simulated an expeditionary environment, exposing Airmen to limited Base Expeditionary Airfield Resources (BEAR) assets while also teaching them tactical field skills.
"Our force is changing with evolving world dynamics, and the best way to prepare for that is through readiness exercises like this one," said Maj. Tania Knight, a clinic nurse with the 419th Medical Squadron. “This practical experience allowed us to learn from our failures, identify pain points, and showed us how we can improve so we can be ready to perform at a higher level in future conflicts.”
Throughout the weekend, Airmen tackled a range of scenarios, including deploying forces, operating a partially established base, and sustaining operations. They were also presented with surprise scenarios such as defending against mock attacks, employing Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), responding to Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear response (CBRN) attacks, and conducting career field-specific tasks.
"Great Power Competition dictates a mindset shift in how we fight, forcing us to transform the way we train and deploy as a total force," said Col. Ronald Sloma, 419th Fighter Wing Commander. “Our new way of training shifts from our traditional stove-piped approaches of operations, maintenance, support, etc., to one that is significantly more integrated, training our Airmen to be adaptable and resilient with the ability to succeed in austere environments with fewer resources.”
The 419th Fighter Wing Inspector General's office evaluated the exercise alongside squadron inspection teams. They assessed, validated, and reported on each unit's readiness against established criteria. This process provides commanders with valuable insights into their units' ability to generate, deploy, and sustain combat capability and serves as an overall readiness assessment.
For instance, while the wing encountered some specific systems access was limited, the exercise highlighted successes like the 67th Aerial Port Squadron's proficiency in manual cargo processing and load planning.
Additionally, Airmen from various squadrons collaborated to set up tents. At the same time, the 419th Civil Engineer Squadron crews conducted Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force (BEEF) tasks, including Damage Assessment Response Team (DART) missions, operating with limited communication, and establishing essential base infrastructure.
The 419th Medical Squadron assessed multiple medical capabilities at the simulated location, and the 419th Security Forces Squadron provided base defense while working closely with security augmentees, highlighting the need for training adaptations for modern conflicts.
The 419th Force Support Squadron leveraged its May field training experience, which included practicing command and control in conditions with degraded communications equipment. They learned that having legacy analog equipment on hand can be a good resource in dynamic situations.
"We came out here with a plan to use our radios, but when they didn't work, we pivoted to a backup," said Tech. Sgt. Zachary Nicholas, Knowledge Management NCOIC. “The team rapidly deployed field phone lines to create a loop between the entry control points and the command post so we could continue with our mission."
While the exercise showcased numerous successes, it also identified areas for improvement. Communication and coordination between units, especially during separate operations, need further enhancement. Additionally, cross-functional training for contingency response procedures like casualty evacuation will be a focus moving forward.
Overall, the 419th Fighter Wing leadership considers this exercise a valuable learning experience to build upon. It provided a realistic training environment for Airmen to test their skills and identify areas for improvement. The lessons learned will be incorporated into future training plans, ensuring the wing is fully prepared to deploy and operate effectively in any contingency.
"We do not expect everything to go perfectly," said Kuzma. "We start with a well-coordinated plan that can be adapted to rapidly changing situations, and then we enable our Airmen to take initiative. “We are committed to continuous improvement and are confident that the lessons learned from this exercise make us a more effective, resilient, and agile force."