176th Wing assesses expeditionary skills

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. N. Alicia Halla
  • 176th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Approximately 1,000 members of the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing turned their focus to readiness exercises here May 14 to 21.

The Mission Assurance Exercise tested the proficiency of the members’ skill sets at a wide range of locations, from the flight line to offices to outdoor training sites, demonstrating their readiness to deploy for state and federal missions when called upon.

Members of the Wing Inspection Team were present during the exercises to assess readiness. The WIT was in turn reviewed by inspectors from Pacific Air Forces to ensure the integrity of the evaluation system. 

“These exercises give commanders an accurate picture of their unit's readiness,” said Maj. Daniel Uchtmann, the 176th Wing director of inspections. “We must be ready when we’re called upon. The inspection process helps us do that.”

Mission assurance exercise activities included launch and recovery of aircraft; medical treatment and personnel recovery while under attack; self-aid and buddy care; parameter sweeps in a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive environment; live-fire suppression by firefighters; pouring concrete foundations; on- and off-loading pallets and vehicles during a contested area of control; setting up a Single Palletized Expeditionary Kitchen; and more.