16th Air Force validated, 32 AOC inspected during certification exercise

  • Published
  • By Capt Jennifer Lovett
  • USAFENS
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  More than 1,500 U.S. Air Forces in Europe personnel and augmentees from around the Air Force, including Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard, participated in a joint force headquarters certification exercise conducted by U.S. European Command at Ramstein Sept. 16 to 27.

EUCOM's Joint Training Readiness and Exercise Division sponsored the theater-wide exercise, called Austere Challenge, and focused on potential real-world scenarios with built-in effects-based operations.

"Austere Challenge is a swiftly-defeat-the-effort campaign involving a medium-to-high intensity combat operation in response to a crisis," said EUCOM spokesperson Navy Lt. Corey Barker.

The computer-assisted exercise was the culminating staff training event to validate 16th Air Force as a Joint Functional Air Component Command; in addition, the USAFE Inspector General took the opportunity to grade an Operational Readiness Inspection for the 32nd Air Operations Center.

In order to continue real world operations and participate in the exercise, 16th AF divided itself and played several roles.

"We established an Air Expeditionary Task Force and a Joint Air Forces Component at the AOC with core 16th AF as well as USAFE and Air Reserve Component Airmen," said Air Force Col. Pete Morello, 16th AF deputy chief of staff. "Simultaneously, we maintained a 16th AF staff to support current EUCOM operations and provide reachback support for the AETF."

The integration of the staffs proved a lessons learned for the exercise and was demonstrated when a 16th AF Operational Planning Team met to analyze rebasing of assets for the AETF.

"That interoperability of the staffs proved that augmentation and cooperation from USAFE and ARC forces was invaluable," said Colonel Morello.

As the validation event for 16th AF, Austere Challenge represented a yearlong process of academics, workshops and individual training.

"We have proven the JFACC capability for some time but this exercise validates that and will put the EUCOM seal of approval on it," said Colonel Morello.

The last time a JFACC was instituted for a real world contingency for the EUCOM AOR was during Operation Allied Force.

In addition to the certification, the 32nd AOC, which is the Air Operations Center for the 16th AF, received an Inspector General rating of "Excellent" for its ORI.

"The AOC has proven itself effective time and time again," said Air Force Col. Keith Cunningham, 16th AF director of operations.

During the exercise, the AOC stood up its Joint Air and Space Operations Center, integrated with the 16th AF staff and a "white cell" Joint Task Force that worked from the Warrior Preparatory Center in Ensiedlerhof.

"The behind the scenes actions required to make a realistic exercise execution were quite impressive," said Air Force Col. Peter Caster, 32nd AOC commander. "I am extremely proud of the outstanding performance by all who participated."

The joint exercise included members from the U.S. Army and Navy as well as personnel from the states and around EUCOM acting as role players and evaluators.

"What I saw this week was an absolutely astounding performance by everyone," said Air Force Maj. Gen. Paul Fletcher, 16th AF commander. "This was training for a wartime mission and I have every confidence that if it ever comes to realworld, this unit will conduct it in a professional and outstanding manner."