Altus 'biggest player' in strategic airlift exercise

  • Published
  • By Kevin Chandler
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Twelve Altus Air Force Base aircraft took part in a Mobility Air Forces Exercise Nov. 19. The 97th Air Mobility Wing aircraft, six C-17 Globemasters and six KC-135 tankers, simulated strategic airdrop and in-flight refueling operations to prove their ability to conduct such missions in a combat zone.

When the exercise commenced, the six C-17s took off and released cargo at the Sooner Drop Zone outside Gould, Okla. The KC-135s met the C-17s after airdrops were completed and refueled the C-17s. The C-17 team then split; three flew to Nevada to take part in operations there while the other team continued training in the local area. Both teams of KC-135s did further formation training work along local flight tracks.

The MAFEX involved more than 100 aircraft from various bases, all air traffic control centers throughout the United States and several support agencies assisting with transportation, planning and logistics. Among the many exercise operations, participants simulate rapid insertion of an entire brigade into a forward operating area.

While there were many units involved, Altus personnel and aircraft were key. Capt. Isaac Adams, 97th AMW deputy chief of wing combat tactics and the lead planner, says Altus was the "biggest player."

"As a base, we put forth the most assets," he continued.

Maj. Kara Greene, Altus' mission commander for the exercise, touted the amazing performance of all the support agencies on base. "It's amazing how much coordination goes into it," she said, "everyone on base had a hand in carrying the exercise out, whether they knew it or not. It always seems to go seamlessly, everyone does their part."

Master Sgt. Drew Wollenzin, C-17 loadmaster, felt the experience was a unique one. "We were another set of eyes and ears for the pilots," he said, "with 15 aircraft flying in a low-level formation, there was a lot going on."

Captain Adams feels the exercise gives Altus aircrews "outstanding large formation experience." It further served to wrap up the Weapons Instructor Course, an intense training program attended by only 12 aircrew instructors per year. According to Captain Adams graduates of this training are "the top echelon of the instructor force."

Major Greene agrees. "The best thing about Altus' participation in the MAFEX is we're proving our abilities to our customers. If a real world situation occurs, we know we don't have to cut corners or bend rules. We can do things right."