Joint force operations help reap real-world success during Golden Coyote

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rebecca Imwalle
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Members of the Air Force, Army and Navy from 12 states and four different countries worked together during the 31st annual Golden Coyote exercise to help to bring real-world experience to each of their respective units during a two-week training exercise, June 6 through 20, testing combat skills and overseas operation contingencies.

Dana Powell, 28th Bomb Wing treaty compliance and plans and programs officer, said participants engaged in various training tasks to include airborne jumps, humanitarian aid, and medical and combat training.

"Participating units did everything from moving logs and brush from forests to helping on the reservations in the area," Powell said. "There were 450 Airborne troops from Rhode Island, Alaska and Texas who conducted assault jumps into Camp Guernsey, Wyo."

Local residents also received numerous benefits from the many engineer projects conducted during the exercise, to include Native American communities that received timber to be used as firewood, building construction, repair and upgrades.

"During this exercise the Army and Air Force worked together with international soldiers," Powell said. "This really added to the interoperability of the exercise."

Ellsworth Airmen from a wide range of career fields participated in the exercise and provided vital support and services, to include the 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron, the 28th Communication Squadron, the 28th Medical Group and the Chaplain corps.

Iowa National Guard Army Capt. Joshua Hansen, 1034th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion operations officer, explained that this was his third time participating in Golden Coyote and he enjoys the opportunities it provides to exercise his skill sets.

"It's a great exercise to conduct collective training that meets [the majority] of the primary objectives a unit needs to train on during an annual training event," Hansen said. "Every section and every Soldier was engaged in their roles throughout the exercise.  The training and the real-world application of Soldiers' skills makes this exercise a very attractive investment that pays dividends on retention in our ranks." 

During the exercise, Hansen and his crew ensured their subordinate units were informed on the latest intelligence and tasks provided by higher command, along with tracking timber haul loads and various deliveries.

"Ellsworth provided us with the use of FOB Lancer," Hansen said.  "Ellsworth was very accommodating to our needs and ensured we had the support we needed, including the active role they played in assisting FOB Lancer with a severe weather evacuation drill which consisted of moving over 350 personnel into a secure location."

Hansen noted that training exercises like Golden Coyote provide viable opportunities for units to gain real world experience while still operating within a training environment.  A training scenario allows room for participants of the exercise to make mistakes, regroup and get it right the second time.

"It's great to work with the different branches of service," Hansen said.  "I think we all learn more about each other during these joint exercises, which sets us up for success in future joint operations.  You really learn to respect what they have to offer." 

Soldiers who participated in the two-week exercise learned a lot during training, giving them a chance to work together and realize the true intent of Golden Coyote, he said.

"To carry out a successful exercise like this takes an organization that is committed from day one," Hansen said.  "The entire year is a build up to this event.  [Leaders] have to plan and [be ready to] adjust [those] plans.  Leaders have to lead the effort.

Soldiers have to know their mission and execute accordingly.  It is truly a team effort."