Unit members complete 48-hour exercise

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shane S. Karp
  • 177th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ATLANTIC CITY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, N.J. --  Airmen from the 177th Fighter Wing participated in a 48-hour exercise here entitled JAN ME EX 15-01 which demonstrated the base's readiness to deploy. 

The exercise required extended working hours for personnel and a substantial increase in operations tempo throughout the base, all while working through unexpected low temperatures which remained well below freezing during the 48 hours.

The exercise was the first of its kind at the 177FW since the Air Force implemented its new inspection system in June of 2013. 

Under the new system, inspections are now a more continual internal and external evaluation. In the past, inspectors viewed the performance of the wing during a one or two week window.

"The goal of the exercise is to validate the wing's capability to generate aircraft and deploy weapons in a combat environment," said Lt. Col. Thor Himley, 177th Fighter Wing Inspector General.

"The challenge for the new-style inspection is to shift away from the old mentality that there were play areas, and non-play areas, and players and non-players," said Himley. "Our challenge to Airmen now is: don't play, just do."

Members of the Wing Inspection Team, in conjunction with Inspector Generals from outside the unit, evaluated unit members on their ability to complete tasks and perform as they would in a real-world scenario, said Himley.

"I need those in leadership to communicate to their Airmen what they expect out of them, so when the next inspection rolls around, Airmen are aware of these expectations," said Himley.

The next exercise of this nature is scheduled for later this year, and Himley urges Airmen to ask questions if they are unsure about what to do in certain real-world situations to ensure a positive and successful inspection.