Raider Reach exercise tests Ellsworth’s combat readiness

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Chase Escalante, right, 28th Civil Engineering Squadron explosive ordnance disposal team lead, and Senior Airman Wyatt Thurman, 28 CES EOD team member, look for a simulated drone during a Raider Reach training exercise at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Sept. 11, 2024. The exercise was used to test how various base agencies would respond in different emergency scenarios on base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney)

Raider Reach exercise tests Ellsworth’s combat readiness

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Isaac Pontow, right, 28th Maintenance Group weapons load crew member, and Staff Sgt. Alec Ocker, 28th MXG weapons load crew chief, conduct a weapons upload of a DATM-158, Dummy Air Training Munition, into a B-1B Lancer in support of a Raider Reach training exercise at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Sept. 17, 2024. This training munition simulates the shape and weight of an AGM-158A/B JASSM, Joint Air to Surface Standoff Missile, and an AGM-158C LRASM, Long Range Anti-Ship Missile, allowing Airmen to train and prepare for potential real-world missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney)

Raider Reach exercise tests Ellsworth’s combat readiness

A U.S. Air Force 34th Bomb Squadron weapon systems officer listens to a pre-flight brief at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Sept. 17, 2024. Simulated missions were conducted daily during a two-week Raider Reach exercise that allowed pilots and weapon systems officers to train for real-world combat scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney)

Raider Reach exercise tests Ellsworth’s combat readiness

U.S. Air Force airmen assigned to the 28th Bomb Wing are weighed as part of a simulated personnel deployment function line during the Raider Reach training exercise conducted at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Sept. 10, 2024. The exercise tested Ellsworth airmen's ability to deploy in support of world-wide operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney)

Raider Reach exercise tests Ellsworth’s combat readiness

U.S. Air Force Capt. Michael Vitacca, 34th Bomb Squadron pilot, climbs up the ladder of a B-1B Lancer during a Raider Reach training exercise at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Sept. 18, 2024. Simulated missions were conducted daily during the two-week exercise that allowed pilots and weapon systems officers to train for real-world combat scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney)

Raider Reach exercise tests Ellsworth’s combat readiness

A B-1B Lancer attached to the 37th Bomb Squadron taxis onto the runway in support of a Raider Reach training exercise at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Sept 16, 2024. The two-week base-wide exercise was split into two phases, the second phase consisting of simulated deployments to allow Airmen to train for real-world scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Alec Carlberg)

Raider Reach exercise tests Ellsworth’s combat readiness

Published Sept. 23, 2024
By Airman 1st Class Brittany Kenney
28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- As the sun rose up into the sky ushering in a new day, exercise Raider Reach, a two-week, two-phase exercise involving the entire 28th Bomb Wing, encompassing five groups, 17 squadrons and supporting agencies, and over 4K military and civilian personnel came to a close Sept. 20, 2024.

The exercise evaluated Ellsworth’s capabilities and resources required to generate and execute long-range strike missions around the globe through a variety of realistic combat and emergency scenarios.

With 33 exercise planners and 109 Wing Inspection Team members, Raider Reach became the first full-scale readiness exercise that has been conduction on the installation in over a decade.

“The [initial] goal was to stress unit capabilities and identify strengths and weaknesses in order to maximize combat effectiveness,” said Master Sgt. Eric Tindall, 28th BW Inspector General inspector. “The end goal is to provide our combatant commanders and Air Force leadership at all levels with the wing’s overall combat readiness.”

During phase one of the exercise, personnel were processed through a deployment function line while cargo was prepared by the 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron to be sent down range. This phase tested the wing’s ability to deploy on short notice while being in a degraded and contested environment.

During the evaluation period, WIT members documented and graded the wing on duty specific criteria, providing critical areas of improvement to leadership teams and players involved.

“We can only improve from here,” said Chet Weymouth, 28th LRS installation deployment officer. “I’m glad there were issues. That forces us to re-evaluate our processes to make sure we are mission ready for real-world deployments.”

As a means to challenge the wing, various scenarios including a simulated drone crash, suspicious vehicle activity near the base, and several instances of declaring Force Protection Conditions Charlie and Delta were enacted to test how base agencies would respond.

Phase two evaluated Ellsworth’s ability to fight from home, initiating daily B-1B Lancer flying missions from both the 34th and 37th Bomb Squadrons, 24-hour maintenance operations, and the uploading of inert munitions for the simulated combat scenarios.

“Exercises like this make real-world situations feel less abnormal,” said Senior Airman TreQuawn Tomlin, 34th Bomber Generation Squadron crew chief. “We’re so used to doing the work that if something real-world comes up, we already know what to do; we feel prepared for it.”

Wings are required to conduct Combat Readiness Exercises annually with the intent to ensure the highest levels of readiness across the force. Executing Raider Reach allowed Ellsworth to meet this requirement for the year while also providing data that will result in mission enhancements for many Air force Specialty Codes.

“In line with the SECAF initiative for Great Power Competition, exercises are key to Airmen development,” said Tindall. “Exercises of this magnitude provide Airmen with the tools and experience to be able to execute a real-world mission while using the lessons learned to win today and dominate tomorrow!”