Atlantic Rescue tests CSAR skills

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mona Ferrell
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  More than 300 23rd Wing Airmen here will test their combat search and rescue skills during the inaugural execution of Exercise Atlantic Rescue Monday-Thursday at Avon Park Air Force Range and MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. 

The exercise is dedicated to providing combat search and rescue-focused training while integrating airborne command and control with various assets throughout the 23rd WG, said Maj. Greg Corkern, 23rd WG plans and programs chief. 

"This exercise incorporates and provides an excellent opportunity to integrate with the various CSAR assets that now fall under Air Combat Command's umbrella," said Major Corkern, one of the primary planners for the exercise. "It's the first time since the CSAR mission moved from Air Force Special Operations Command to ACC that we've been able to bring everyone together and provide realistic training on this type of scale." 

The exercise scenarios intended to bring "everyone together" will involve the full spectrum of personnel recovery assets to include airborne command and control, CSAR insertion and extraction, "survivor" training, air observer and close-air support, said Maj. John LeClair, 347th Operations Support Squadron chief of weapons and tactics. 

"We looked at previous experiences in theater and incorporated some of them into the training for this exercise," Major LeClair said. "The scenarios will feature 'survivors' in both land and water situations in need of rescue. While waiting for extraction, the survivors will put to task the (survival, evasion, resistance and escape) training they've received." 

Because of the importance of providing realistic training, many of the survivors from fields which have the greatest potential to become CSAR customers, said Major LeClair.
"The optimum target survivor was to get a life support officer, who in the fighter community is a pilot as well," he said. "These are the individuals who are in a better position to facilitate the training they receive and share it with other members at their home unit." 

But, while the survivor is on the ground, he won't be totally alone. A SERE "escort" will be available, providing guidance if the operator has questions, said Senior Master Sgt. Mark Budny, 347th OSS weapons and tactics superintendent. 

"The survivor isn't going to be kicked out of the aircraft with the SERE instructor saying 'see you after you get picked up,'" said Sergeant Budny. "In the process of doing this, there's going to be some learning going on. 

"The SERE specialist is going to be there as an escort and facilitator, sort of like a big brother," Sergeant Budny continued. "If something catastrophic happens or something gets bundled up, the SERE specialist is going to be dedicated to the survivor. He's going to be with them walking along, just in case the operator has a question; he'll be able to facilitate and help them remember what's supposed to be happening." 

The E-8 Joint Stars aircraft will also be an active asset during the exercise, providing intelligence regarding ground threats in the "AOR," said Major Corkern. 

"This exercise offers a fantastic opportunity for the JSTAR operators and controllers," he said. "It integrates the command and control portion of this and gives them a chance to see what they bring to the fight as it pertains to personnel recovery." 

While Atlantic Rescue is the first large-scale, fully-integrated training of its kind since the CSAR forces have rejoined ACC, it's important to note these forces have been and continue to be responsible for the rescue of ground units in the AOR, said Major Corkern. 

"Exercises such as this are necessary to train so that in the event an aircrew is downed, the capability exists to rescue the individual quickly and safely," he said. "This is our job; it's what we do. Every day we fly, jump, perform a ground movement or work a medical exercise - we're working a combat skill set. 

"This exercise is simply a culmination of all those skill sets placed in one four-day period," he continued. "It's something our brothers and sisters are doing overseas right now - day after day in support of the global war on terrorism."