HomeNewsArticle Display

Oklahoma-based 970th receives vital training

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt Cohen A. Young
  • Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii --  Airmen from the 970th Airborne Air Control Squadron and 513th Air Control Group at Tinker arrived at the base on July 11 in support of RIMPAC, the world's largest maritime exercise.

The multinational exercise is in its 22nd year and is comprised of 14 nations, 32 ships, five submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 20,000 personnel.

The 970th AACS's mission belongs to the E-3B Sentry, Airborne Warning and Control System. The AWACS is a high altitude radar system designed to detect aircraft.

This is the first time the 970th has been involved in the biennial exercise and the squadron has greatly benefited from the opportunity.

"This has been outstanding training, and the most realistic training that we've had since the unit left the war (in Iraq)," said Lt. Col. Curtis Andersen, a pilot with the 970th AACS.

RIMPAC is very realistic because it is designed to increase the tactical proficiency of participating units in a wide array of maritime operations by enhancing military-to-military relations and interoperability.

"This was our first time to work with our international partners," Colonel Andersen said. "The Japanese brought their destroyers and Singapore brought their stealth frigate; there are a lot of firsts with this exercise."

The huge amount of training received at RIMPAC is unequaled to what the 970th can acquire during normal scenarios in Oklahoma.

"This is probably 10 times better than the normal training we are able to get at home," said Colonel Andersen. "At home we simulate enemy and friendly surface-to-air missile systems, while here the SAM systems that are coming from the boats are real, which allows us to conduct realtime responses for our warfighters."

The participation of the Oklahoma reservists is an example of the total force integration concept the Air Force has been using more and more of as they move into the future. The unit has worked with active duty, National Guard and other reservists from the Air Force, Navy and Marines.

"There's a huge array of the Air Force's total force involved in RIMPAC and no one can tell because it's seamless and transparent," said Brig. Gen. Thomas Harwood, the Combined Force Air Component commander for RIMPAC.

RIMPAC, a Pacific Fleet led exercise in the waters of the Hawaiian Islands, ended Aug. 1.