Sabers exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Clay Murray
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  Sabers across the base took part in the first Phase II exercise this year March 1-3 designed to prepare them for upcoming inspections this summer.

A Phase II evaluates a unit's ability to meet wartime and contingency taskings of employing the force, sustaining the force and the ability to survive and operate, said Capt. Sam Kessler, 52nd Fighter Wing deputy chief of inspections.

"They will experience various samples of deployed life, primarily from a functional aspect," he said. "They won't see the day-to-day events - instead we give them challenges similar to what they would see in a deployed environment such as attack items, MOPP and Force Protection conditions."

The event was part of a combined Phase I and Phase II exercise in preparation for the upcoming NATO Force Evaluation and operational readiness inspection. It was the first of three combined exercises scheduled to help Sabers practice and establish good habits.

"(The exercises) give us a chance to do all the things we've been taught and trained to do, actually helping us apply what we know and fine tune it." said Staff Sgt. Brett Duncan, 52nd Security Forces Squadron installation patrolman and exercise emergency operations center representative.

Phase I exercises present specific learning lessons, but the Phase II portion teaches Airmen skills from a completely different category, said Sergeant Duncan.

"Instead of the pre-deployment function line, papers and deployment preparations, this part is all hands-on," he said.

"(Versus the Phase I, the Phase II) offers training and simulations in a realistic environment," said Senior Airman Joseph White, 52nd SFS entry control point guard and internal security response team member. "This helps people to get into the right mindset. It will help prepare us and get us in the right mentality for the upcoming inspection. It also applies to the real world - some scenarios can be compared to real incidents, and this brings realism to the table."

Airman White spent time during the exercise manning an ECP on the edge of the tactical area of responsibility. He and his colleagues control who and what can enter and from that location witness what happens on both sides of the wall.

"My role has been to respond to incidents inside the assigned sector of the TAOR, deal with unidentified ordinance, cordon improvised explosive devices and detain two individuals who jumped the fence line," Airman White said.

As a member who spends time in a busy sector of the exercise involved in several scenarios, Airman White feels it is critical that Airmen are prepared for anything.

"Don't get complacent," Airman White said. "When you do, unnecessary things can happen; but had you kept up that awareness and mindset, you could have prevented them from happening in the first place."

Senior Airman Geoffrey Witter, 52nd SFS, worked at the exercise restricted area ECP, and he also recognizes complacency as an important habit to beat. A sense of enthusiasm and urgency are two vital elements to success, he said.

"For inspections, keep up the motivation and hustle. These two things are the key," Airman Witter said. "For the maintenance guys, it's got to be rough out there, and because of the different stresses, I think it's important to be physically and mentally prepared. Get an adequate amount of sleep, exercise and study for things like chemical attacks and ground attacks."

Sergeant Duncan had a different job than Airmen White and Witter during the exercise, but also said the exercise provided good experience and guidance.

"During the exercise I was the EOC representative for SFS," he said. "Basically, the position works like a filter, a link or a focal point for many agencies. For the most part, the first responders worked well. We already have a good working relationship from other events, and during the exercise, we improved upon that. The whole thing was a learning experience on what we can still improve and what needs to change."