Two services, one goal: Air Force, Army unit participate in joint exercise

Published Jan. 11, 2008
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- History was made Jan. 8.
   The 3rd Combat Communications Group, the 552nd Air Control Wing and the 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery at Fort Sill came together for a two-week joint exercise. Conducted at Glenwood Training Area, just north of Tinker on Southeast 29th Street in Midwest City and Forward Operating Base Hamilton at Fort Sill, the exercise will conclude Jan. 18.
   "The purpose of the exercise is two-fold," said Maj. Lisa Bartel, Battalion Operations officer. "First, it is a great way for our unit to verify a communications capability, (which) we may be asked to implement during a joint deployment.
   "The other purpose is to lay the foundation down for a habitual relationship between the air defense community at Fort Sill and Tinker."
   Planning the exercise began in October.
   Major Bartel said the 6-52 ADA received guidance from their headquarters, the 31st ADA Brigade, to do a 100-kilometer road march. In mid-December, 6-52 ADA officials contacted Tinker officials and planned an overnight exercise. Yet, after much discussion, the exercise was extended to two-weeks.
   "We have had great support for this exercise from all elements at Tinker Air Force Base," the major said. "What started out as a small unit-level exercise with unit-level objectives has taken on a life of its own and has become a unique joint-level exercise."
   During the first week, half of the battalion, about 250 members, deployed to FOB Hamilton and Glenwood to practice the exercise mission, connecting Patriot Missile Defense System through the 3rd Herd and the 552nd ACW's communications equipment. Today, the first half of the battalion returns to Fort Sill and the second half of the battalion comes to Tinker Jan. 15-18 for a similar exercise.
   The 3rd Herd's Airmen will provide long distance communication between Glenwood and Fort Sill, which will allow the Army to have a fully operational Patriot system. 3rd Herd will also provide a Non-Secure Internet Protocol Router network and a Secure Internet Protocol Router network, said 2nd Lt. Duvalier Hernandez, Base Flight Systems officer-in-charge at the 31st Combat Communications Squadron.
   The 552nd ACW will use the Air Warning and Control Systems radars to scan for simulated enemy aircraft and alert the Army.
   The major said several Soldiers will also fly familiarization flights in the AWACS.
   About 70 Airmen from Tinker will participate in the exercise. "This will be a learning environment for most of the (Airmen) participating in this exercise," said Lieutenant Hernandez. "Most of them have never interacted with an Army unit."