34th Bomb Squadron departs for Green Flag Published April 12, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Alessandra N. Gamboa 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- More than one hundred Airmen from the 34th Bomb Squadron and 28th Operations Support Squadron are scheduled to depart Ellsworth, April 14, for the Green Flag West 11-06 exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 15 to 29. Lt. Col. John Martin, 34th Bomb Squadron commander, said the Green Flag exercise is important for younger Airmen to gain confidence and exposure to deployment operations before participating in combat overseas. "We focus on sending younger aviators who have never been to Operation Enduring Freedom," he said. "Only about two-thirds of our Airmen are able to participate... the intent is to prepare those Airmen who have never deployed." The focus of Green Flag will be close air support training to prepare for future combat operations in Southwest Asia. Colonel Martin explained that each squadron participates in a flag exercise at least once in their three-month spinup prior to deploying. "Our Airmen prepare for their pre-deployment training at Green Flag by learning the standards by which to gauge their progress," Colonel Martin said. "During the exercise, they will also have the opportunity to train in joint operations with other Airmen from Nellis as well as soldiers, special operations forces personnel and foreign allies." Staff Sgt. Thomas Valenzuela, 28th OSS aircrew flight equipment craftsman, is responsible for ensuring the safety of aircrew members by inspecting their survival gear prior to their flight. Sergeant Valenzuela has participated in multiple flag exercises, and has been deployed several times. "The Green Flag exercise is a good way for Airmen to learn how we operate in deployed locations," Sergeant Valenzuela said. "The exercise shows younger Airmen a small portion of what we do when we're deployed that they normally wouldn't experience while at their home station."