Air Force supports Army training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kimberly Moore Limrick
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  More than 75 units from 34 states and two countries moved into the Black Hills to participate in Joint Thunder 2007 which ended June 23. 

The Joint Thunder Exercise is a multi-component, multi-echelon, single scenario driven exercise. The exercise scenario emphasizes the nine battle drills and 40 warrior tasks in accordance with the U.S. Army Battle Focused Training Strategy. 

Ellsworth's Air Force members contributed to this Army battle focused training strategy with many squadrons playing huge rolls. 

Airmen of the 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron airmen worked six missions, rotated and issued 60 M-16s and 125 sleeping bags with no delays. 

In the 28th Operations Support Squadron, not only were Airmen from weather, air traffic control, and radar approach and control working overtime in support of Joint Thunder but Airmen also responded to numerous last-minute requests to open the airfield to helicopter operations and passenger-carrying aircraft. 

The 28th Maintenance Squadron distributed security lighting and prepared docks 31 and 32 for re-routed helicopters after a tornado watch was issued. Transient personnel parked 13 Chinooks and ten Blackhawks, and filled the hangars with aircraft to protect them from the potentially damaging weather. 

The after action review reveled Joint Thunder was, "A complete success ... The exercise allowed (military personnel) to identify weaknesses and (provided) a better understanding of the requirements to conduct a complex demanding mission. Every unit and individual that participated in Join Thunder 2007 is a better prepared Soldier and leader." 

Overall, Joint Thunder was a complete success. The accomplished task completed in just a two-week period is amazing. There is only one organization in the world that can complete so much in such a little time, the U.S. military, said Lt. Col. Daniel Iverson, Joint Thunder coordinator. The Joint Thunder exercise continues to evolve to one of the best training exercises available for units to attend. Joint Thunder 2007 was a tremendous success. Training events were executed in an outstanding manner.