JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Exercise Tropic Tundra concluded for the year at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, June 6. Airmen assigned to the 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing conducted simulated agile combat employment tactics to strengthen multi-capable Airmen capabilities.
The 3rd AEW activates parts of the 3rd Wing and 673rd Air Base Wing to create a nimble and lethal force package which deploys to the Pacific to exercise capabilities and expand relationships. The 3rd AEW showcased the current state of JBER’s ACE preparedness during the exercise, while preparing for Exercise Resolute Force Pacific later this year.
“My team and I have been preparing for Tropic Tundra and REFORPAC for a few months now,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Trey Welch, a water and fuels systems craftsman assigned to the 773d Civil Engineer Squadron. “It’s a great experience coming together with a group of Airmen from different jobs and showcasing our abilities to work together and enhance our readiness. It plays a huge part in supporting the mission for a better and stronger Air Force.”
For the first phase of the exercise, the focus was to generate aircraft and personnel for deployment to designated remote locations. Airmen went through a mock personnel deployment function line, where the 673d ABW practiced tactics and procedures to support the 3rd AEW as they departed the installation. This tested JBER’s ability to deploy and receive personnel, one of the installation’s primary missions.
Airmen arrived at their assigned duty locations on a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 517th Airlift Squadron at JBER. From there, they unloaded cargo from the aircraft and began setting up. A mock hub and three spoke locations were constructed in three remote locations in Alaska. Throughout the week, the Airmen from the 3rd AEW practiced mock deployment tactics, where they responded appropriately and rapidly to possible scenarios that could occur while in contested locations.
“I have learned a lot from this exercise,” said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Caedyn Vincentti, an operations management journeyman assigned to the 773d CES. “Working in the 3rd AEW, I have furthered my knowledge and capabilities on how to react in unfamiliar settings. This opportunity has allowed me to better myself as an Airman.”
During this exercise, service members demonstrated mission-ready Airmen capabilities by stepping out of their usual duty roles and showcasing combat lethality. They refined their contingency tactics, techniques and procedures, while testing and training their ability to receive and launch F-22 Raptor aircraft in austere locations.
“During Tropic Tundra, the 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing demonstrated its ability to project combat power in austere conditions by successfully launching and receiving F-22s and executing Agile Combat Employment concepts,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Charles Schuck, commander of the 3rd Wing. “As we prepare for Resolute Force Pacific, we will continue to train with intent, strengthen our operational readiness, and reinforce our role in strategic deterrence by ensuring we can respond rapidly and effectively to any mission we are called upon across the Indo-Pacific.”