By Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez, 18th Wing Public Affairs
Chaplain (Capt.) Martin King (left) and Chaplain (Col.) Clifton Perry set up a cordon after discovering a simulated unexploded ordnance outside Chapel 2 Dec. 4 at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The scenario is part of Exercise Beverly High 09-01, a joint Air Force-Marine Corps exercise designed to test the ability of both services to execute their critical missions under simulated combat conditions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Chad Warren)
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- Japan-based Airmen and Marines came together for Exercise Beverly High 09-01 the first week of December at Kadena Air Base.
Airmen of the 18th Wing integrated with Marines from Marine Corps Station Iawkuni as they executed their missions under simulated combat conditions.
About 35 aircraft and 700 Marines from Marine Aircraft Group 12 took part in the training, with Marine F/A-18s and AV-8 Harriers flying alongside 18th Wing aircraft as well as flying "red air" sorties against the wing. KC-130 refueling aircraft from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma also participated in the exercise.
"The Marine aircraft are providing a realistic threat replication to challenge our F-15 (Eagle) pilots," said Maj. Michelle Shicks, an 18th Wing weapons and tactics officer. "They are also supporting the joint force commander's objectives by working in conjunction with the F-15s to employ air-to-ground ordnance and destroy enemy targets."
For the Marines, the chance to integrate their air operations with the 18th Wing's was invaluable.
"Joint training allows us to train as we fight," said Marine Capt. Jeff Mueller, a weapons systems training officer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 242. "It also allows us to iron out our differences in training and learn from our mistakes so that we can maximize lethality in combat."
This type of joint training opportunity is limited in Okinawa, and both services made the most of it.
"This is a rare opportunity to stay in our local area and conduct joint training with an air-to-air mission happening with a simultaneous air-to-ground mission, all within the same airspace," Major Shicks said. "(We're able to) employ in a joint integration arena, sharing new tactics, techniques and procedures and refining current employment procedures to better prepare for combat against any enemy."
While the flying operation was a huge part of the exercise, every facet of the wing's wartime mission was tested. To validate unit readiness, the 18th Wing Plans and Programs Office exercises division, along with more than 300 exercise evaluation team members, created dozens of tough but realistic wartime scenarios to test Airmen on their critical wartime skills.
"Scenarios range from responding to an attack by a hostile nation to apprehending someone who absent-mindedly drives through one of the gates without showing an ID," said Lt. Col. Steven Plank the 18th Wing Plans and Programs chief.
Other areas of evaluation included self-aid and buddy care responses to medical scenarios, ranging from loss of a limb, severe head trauma and loss of blood to mild cases of dehydration and heat exhaustion.
"The exercise is going well," Colonel Plank said. "There are a bunch of Airmen who were not here for the (Operational Readiness Inspection) that are learning about the tremendous effort it takes to conduct sustained combat operations."
The exercise also allowed units to prepare for the deployment process by sending Airmen through the Installation Deployment Readiness Center where they are processed and briefed for simulated deployments to various locations around the world.
"Training exercises like this help us put into practice the proper response procedures involved with a hostile environment," said Airman 1st Class Timothy Stencil, a tech controller with the 18th Communications Squadron. "The more we prepare at home station, the more it will become second nature to respond correctly when the time comes to perform in a real-world situation."
Airmen practiced donning gas masks and other protective equipment during different alarm and Mission Oriented Protective Posture levels. They also trained to follow the procedures for each specific level and practice accomplishing their mission in full MOPP gear.
"The exercise permits training under more stressful conditions than can be achieved on a daily basis," Colonel Plank said. "Additionally, it helps individuals and units gain confidence in their abilities before entering actual combat."
