Video

Video by Senior Airman Robert Gunn

Air Force and Army Train to Fight in Operation Viking

97th Air Mobility Wing

March 28, 2015 | 1:37

Crews from the 97th Air Mobility Wing and Little Rock AFB assisted members of the 1st Battalion 143rd Infantry Regiment of the Texas Army National Guard in conducting airfield seizure training at the North Texas Regional Airport in Grayson County, Texas.

Airmen from Altus Air Force Base put their training into action during Operation Viking. The operation saw Air Force units working closely with joint partners from the Texas army national guard to maintain mission readiness and capability.

C-17’s from Altus and C130’s from little rock AFB conducted air land drops to put the Army in place for a full airfield seizure.

“This exercise demonstrates our ability as a joint fighting force to deny that enemy freedom of movement, wherever we want to and seize that land for as long as we want. Just practicing these exercises makes us that much better when we execute in the real world.”(:27) -Capt. Austin Street, Pilot-58th Airlift Squadron

And in terms of capability air power brings a whole lot to the table.

“My unit is truly joint dependent. I cannot conduct my mission and my mission essential tasks without the assistance and aid of United States Air Force Aircraft. I am absolutely indebted to them for what they provide me and no other branch and no other entity can provide the capability that I require to do my mission.” -(:48) Lt. Col. Max Krupp- Battalion Commander, 1st Battalion 143rd Infantry Regiment

Wherever it needs to go the c17 can get it there but it's a team effort for the mighty 97th.

“So Team Altus really came together to make this exercise happen we had our civilian maintainers who came and made sure our jets were operational and ready to go for the exercise. Our loadmaster working jointly with the army to ensure safe cargo operations and then our pilots making sure our air operations were safe and achieving the army’s objectives in the exercise.”(1:09) --Capt. Austin Street, Pilot-58th Airlift Squadron

For the 97th air Mobility Wing, I’m Senior Airman Robert Gunn.

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