Exercise Resolute Warrior continues Published Oct. 26, 2007 By Senior Airman Lorraine Amaro 552 Air Control Wing Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Tinker is kicking off its first exercise of Fiscal Year 2008 from Oct. 15 to 26. Exercise Resolute Warrior 08-01 will test an Airman's Ability to Survive and Operate with chemical runs, mission essentials and "mortar" attacks that will drastically change force protection conditions and mission oriented protective postures. "(This exercise) offers a venue to conduct training, re-enforce training, practice new concepts, as well as ensure compliance with operational readiness inspection criteria," said Col. Joe Rossacci, 552nd ACW vice wing commander and deployed commander during the exercise. "However, the most important aspect is it allows us to practice our wartime operations to fly, fight and win America's wars." The 552nd ACW is stationed at South Ramp, on the Navy side of base while the 3rd Combat Communications Group and the 72nd Air Base Wing play at Glenwood Training Area, an exercise area outside of base. All units are "deployed" as the 627th Air Expeditionary Wing at King Abdulaziz Air Base, a bare base in Saudi Arabia. "The first 72 hours is critical when you go into a base where you have no operating infrastructure," said Capt. Anthony Sutton, the maintenance troop commander for the E-3 Sentry operations at South Ramp. "You have to set up security and communications as well as your maintenance and aircraft support, all while doing so safely." The mission is to turn King Abdulaziz from a plot of land into a fully functional base capable of generating sorties. This also includes making sure Airmen are combat ready and capable of functioning under all MOPP levels. "It's important to prepare your Airmen for anything that may come their way, not only physically, but mentally," said Captain Sutton. "We have a much smaller force compared to 10 years ago, we need to be more vigilant and effective in all that we do." The training is split into two phases. Phase one is the initial set-up while phase two is the heavily graded period where blood and bombs prevail. "I think this training environment is perhaps even more up-tempo than a real deployment," said Staff Sgt. Michelle Murphy, a participant from the 72nd Mission Support Squadron. "I feel confident during attacks. We are ready to handle them, we can come out clean." During Resolute Warrior, Airmen work 12-hour shifts and some will sleep on site. "Bombs" and "mortars" can go off at all hours, sending the troops into MOPP 4, "Alarm Black." The Islamic Call to Prayer will play on the loud speakers five times a day while observers dressed as locals circle the compound, challenging the Airmen. Some events are planned by command and Exercise Evaluation Team, and some are last-minute additions. All events will keep Airmen on their toes. "Right now, we're preparing for what we're going out to support, we want them to expect the unexpected," said Master Sgt. Richard Goebel, 627th AEW mission controller for the exercise. "We are training them to get their communications up in the worst case scenario, so when they actually deploy, it won't be a problem." During the exercise, EET and Inspector General members will grade Airmen on their efforts ranging from "poor" to "outstanding," and those Airmen are expected to fix any and all mistakes made. This will help Airmen prepare for the 2009 Operational Readiness Exercise, held by Air Combat Command.