Exercise team takes to skies

  • Published
  • By Kevin Chandler
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Enjoying an up-close view of a C-17 Globemaster over the Rocky Mountains is not the usual day for area media members and emergency responders. But the Crisis Communication Exercise conducted Jan. 22 by the 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs office included a flight in a KC-135 tanker to witness an in-flight refueling of a C-17 firsthand.

Passengers for the training mission included five executives from Valero Ardmore Refinery/VPP; 21 members of the 97th Maintenance Directorate/A-TEAM; and 32 members from on- and off-base law enforcement, medical, fire, safety and disaster responders; as well as media representatives from KSWO Channel 7, The Lawton Constitution, Wichita Falls Times Record News and KWHW-1450 AM radio.

The Crisis Communication Exercise aimed at increasing cooperation and cohesion between base agencies and civilian media and emergency responders in the wake of a disaster or crisis. Past events illustrated the need for on- and off-base entities to work together to make the situation safe and keep the public informed. Therefore, the Air Force requires commanders and Public Affairs officers to brief responders and media at least once a year.

Establishing a protocol and set of procedures for all to understand and follow improves communication between different organizations. The exercise also ensured responses to various emergencies are timely and thorough.

Exercise participants arrived early for a wing mission briefing and a briefing from Public Affairs on Crisis Communication. Col. David Allvin, 97th AMW commander, then spoke to the group about the importance of collaboration during crisis response. Group members then headed to one of two KC-135s for what turned out to be a thrilling experience.

"It was really exciting to see first-hand what the 97th Air Mobility Wing does for the Air Force," said Stacy Horany, a reporter from the Wichita Falls Times Record News. Horany, who also writes for the Sheppard Air Force Base Senator, went on to praise the work of Altus aircrews.

"Without these tankers and their crews, it would be impossible for Sheppard pilots to do their job here and overseas," she explained.

The KC-135 passengers were briefed on the aircraft and the in-flight refueling mission, allowed to spend time in the cockpit to observe the pilots and given a front row seat to the C-17 refueling. The C-17 stayed attached long enough for everyone to take pictures and videos.

"It's impressive to see two incredible pieces of technology flying so close together," said Oliver Knop, a photojournalist with KSWO, "and the view from the boom operator's station showed you how much skill it takes to do what they do."