JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Team Charleston participated in a four-day mobility exercise, Crisis Look 11-01, Feb. 24 in preparation for Joint Base Charleston's Operational Readiness Inspection in November.
During the exercise, Charleston Airmen simulated deploying from here to Navoi Airfield, Uzbekistan, to provide humanitarian relief to the area.
During the initial response portion of the exercise, base agencies were evaluated on their ability to get deploying Airmen and their cargo processed as quickly as possible.
"Mobility exercises test how efficiently we can deploy our Airmen and cargo," said Lt. Col. Stevan Kaighen, 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander. "We use these exercises to train and prepare our Airmen for real-world deployments and to help us understand how well units work together to accomplish the mission."
A total of 10 specific aircraft loads, or chalks, containing Airmen and cargo were used during last week's simulated deployment. Airmen who were chosen to deploy began the exercise by ensuring they had everything needed to deploy overseas, including gear, clothing and toiletries. Unit deployment managers helped Airmen ensure a smooth transition from home station to a deployed location by having all the needed paperwork.
The Airmen were later sent to the 628 LRS for mission briefings and deployment lines. After a few hours the Airmen were sent to the passenger terminal.
"It was amazing to see the enthusiasm of all the people who participated in the exercise," Colonel Kaighen said. "It shows that we take pride in what we do."
There will be multiple mobility exercises in the near future and each will go more in-depth and eventually lead to fly away missions.
Last week's mobility exercise lasted through the weekend and was the second exercise in preparation for November's ORI.
"There was much improvement from the previous mobility exercise," said David Hunt, 437th Airlift Wing inspector readiness and inspection chief. "We did the job and we were much more detailed. Overall the exercise went very well, but there is always room for improvement."
"The mobility exercise was a success because of the great teamwork here at JB CHS," Colonel Kaighen said. "All organizations, the 628th Air Base Wing, the 437th Airlift Wing and the 315th Airlift Wing work well together. Now that JB CHS is a joint base, the Navy plays a big role in the mission. Even though sailors don't deploy, they are working hard behind the scenes and are a key to the base's success."
JB CHS expects no less than an 'excellent' during November's ORI, Colonel Kaighen said.
"This installation is truly the best and is known for excellence," he said. "Through teamwork and hard work we will succeed in November's ORI. Keep up the good work."