Maintainers exhibit resiliency during Raider Reach exercise

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman TreQuawn Tomlin, 34th Bomber Generation Squadron crew chief, performs maintenance on a B-1B Lancer in support of exercise Raider Reach at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Sept. 17, 2024. The second phase of the base-wide exercise had Airmen operating in an operational tempo that simulated deploying from Ellsworth, requiring them to quickly prepare jets for takeoff. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Alec Carlberg)

Maintainers exhibit resiliency during Raider Reach exercise

Two U.S. Air Force Airmen attached to the 37th Bomber Generation Squadron, do routine maintenance on a B-1B Lancer in support of exercise Raider Reach at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Sept. 17, 2024. The base-wide training exercise was designed to evaluate Ellsworth’s capabilities and resources required to generate and execute long-range strike missions around the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Alec Carlberg)

Maintainers exhibit resiliency during Raider Reach exercise

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Garry Moore, 37th Bomber Generation Squadron aerospace propulsion craftsman, poses beside a B-1B Lancer jet engine during exercise Raider Reach 2024 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Sept. 17. During this exercise, the 28th Maintenance Group was evaluated on their ability to ensure serviceability of the B-1 to support a series of simulated long-range strike missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Yendi Borjas)

Maintainers exhibit resiliency during Raider Reach exercise

Published Sept. 23, 2024
By Senior Airman Yendi Borjas
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASEE, S.D. --
Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.-- Airmen assigned to the 28th Maintenance Group had the opportunity to put their previous technical experiences from deployments and trainings into action by showcasing their skills during exercise Raider Reach Sept. 9 - 20, 2024.

Raider Reach is a base-wide training exercise designed to test the unit’s capabilities during a real-world-based scenario. Within the last two quarters, maintainers in Raider Country have worked continuously in their mission to ensure B-1B Lancers remain mission ready for real-world and training events.

“The experience gained through previous exercises and deployments have helped us tremendously by setting the precedent for longer work hours, continuous workloads, and the increased generation of aircraft,” said Staff Sgt. Garry Moore, 37th Bomber Generation Squadron aerospace propulsion craftsman.

While Raider Reach challenges Airmen assigned to the 28th MXG to facilitate the rapid deployment of aircraft it also adds the complexity of unfamiliar situations.

“The biggest difference between this exercise and other operations is that we are split between different aircraft,” said Moore. “This encourages us to collaborate with people we don’t typically work with and fosters a more cohesive environment through exposure to new people.”

Through exercises like Raider Reach, a diverse atmosphere is provided for maintainers to display their knowledge of B-1 maintenance in an effort to exhibit mission capabilities.

“I would say exercises like these give us the opportunity to demonstrate our expertise,” said Senior Airman TreQuawn Tomlin, 34th Bomber Generation Squadron crew chief. “I have learned that anything can happen and to not let yourself get comfortable because higher headquarters can put a tasking out and you have to be prepared to execute it. Our goal is to get these jets up and to accomplish the task at hand as efficiently and safely as possible.”

Remaining flexible and willing to adapt plays a pivotal role in accomplishing mission readiness. Fighting against complacency is completed through exercises that empower maintainers to showcase their leadership capabilities.

“I tell my Airmen there is no difference between this exercise and any other day, because every day can be a training day,” said Moore.