Training at Volk Field prepares for inspection

Published June 16, 2010

POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- The flight line at the Volk Field Air National Guard Training Center in western Wisconsin was alive with activity June 3 as the first of many aircraft arrived to begin a five-day operational readiness training practice.

The practice was the fourth in a series of training events to prepare Air Force reservists for an operational readiness inspection early next year. More than 400 reservists came from the 440th Airlift Wing, Pope AFB; the 916th Air Refueling Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C.; and the 71st Aerial Port Squadron, Langley AFB, Va.

During one busy period, a C-17 from the 315th AW, Charleston AFB, S.C.; a C-130 from Pope; and a KC-135 tanker from Seymour Johnson landed with cargo and people.

On the fourth day, the Airmen from Langley, Pope and Seymour Johnson along with reservists from the 446th Civil Engineering Squadron, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and the 622nd Aeromedical Staging Squadron, Robins AFB, Ga., began the "real training" exercise. They donned chemical suits while operating in a hostile country with possible rocket attacks and facility malfunctions expected.

When the day started, morning fog was layered over the airfield. After the smoke canisters were tossed by the training cadre the green and red smoke blended with the fog creating an eerie scene as if an actual chemical attack did occur.

After the attack, Lt. Col. Florin Georgescu head of the medical staff from the 622nd ASTS, said, "This is going great. We are learning new things every minute."

His team was following medical procedures, making critical assessments and using life-saving techniques on critically wounded Airmen.

The training continued for another day at the training center. The training the reservists received will prepare them for an operational readiness inspection early next year. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service from 440th AW news releases)