South Carolina Air Guard Showcases ACE Concepts SOUTH CAROLINA South Carolina Guard Bridging Unit Trains With Colombian Partners
By 2nd Lt. Nicole Szews 169th Fighter Wing Public Affairs | JULY 26, 2024
By Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy, National Guard Bureau | JULY 26, 2024
ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands - The South Carolina Air National Guard’s 169th Fighter Wing conducted Exercise Caribbean Fox at St. Croix July 16-24, focusing on mastering Agile Combat Employment concepts to prepare for any global challenge. The wing simulated a rapid deployment to a forward op- erating location with limited resources. Wing members demonstrated the effectiveness of integrated combat turns, a tactic that ensures rapid aircraft rearming and refueling to maximize readiness. This efficient employment of personnel and assets demonstrates the “faster, leaner” approach ACE fosters. The 156th Wing, Muniz Air National Guard Base, Puerto Rico, was the contingency location for the exercise. Two 169 FW F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets and a KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft, assigned to the 134th Air Refueling Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard, executed critical mission requirements and rapidly redeployed while threatened by simulated oppos- ing forces. “Supporting ACE exercises such as Caribbean Fox enhances our multi-capable Airmen’s readiness by employing direct interoperational support from our installation’s strategic loca- tion,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Evaristo Orengo, the 156th Wing commander, Puerto Rico Air National Guard.
CLARKS HILL TRAINING SITE, S.C. – The sun glinted off the Savannah River as it meandered broadly along the South Carolina-Georgia border. Boats churned on the river’s otherwise placid waters while a breeze whispered past on an almost mov- ie-perfect summer morning. For U.S. Army Sgt. Raj Patel, that was a problem. The bridge crewmember with the 125th Multi-role Bridge Company, South Carolina Army National Guard, was on shore duty rather than on one of the unit’s M30 Bridge Erection Boats used during waterborne bridging operations. “I especially like working with the boats,” said Patel. “To be out there on the water, I just like it out there. Everything is good about it.” The unit’s task along the river was to build a raft and ferry troops, vehicles and equipment across as part of a training mis- sion July 17-19. “The training we’re doing today allows us not only to accom- plish our tactical mission if a unit like this is ever called upon in theater but to help us better support the state in the event of floodwaters and things like that,” said Capt. Meredith Hohe, the unit commander. While boat crews waited on the water, shore teams prepped sections of the Improved Ribbon Bridge system used for the raft — ramps that allow vehicles to be driven on and off for the ends and bays that make up the sections between the ramps. “You do all your pre-checks, make sure everything’s working, then we load all the bays and ramps on the trucks, and we plan out our sequence,” said Patel, referring to the launching sequence of the bridge sections into the river.
Exercise Caribbean Fox focused on honing the wing’s capabil- ities in ACE.
“Our wing inspection team, composed of subject matter experts who understand the importance of our Airmen, are trained and equipped to deploy rapidly and effectively anywhere in the world,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. David Way, the 169th Fighter Wing inspector general. “Through ACE principles, we can ensure our capabilities are strategically dispersed, self-sufficient, and mission-focused.“ Caribbean Fox was not solely about technical proficiency. Airmen from diverse specialties collaborated in fast-paced scenarios, sharpening their teamwork and ability to antici- pate, identify and overcome threats.
Though Patel may have preferred to be on the water, his role onshore overseeing bridge bay deployment was just as critical.
“We want to make sure that everything’s done correctly before dropping them in the water,” he said. “Once we bring them up here, the sergeants, we’re making sure and finalizing that they’re good to go in the water.” While unit members built the
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