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352nd SOG closes out ORI deployment at RAF Machrihanish

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Dennis Brewer
  • 352nd Special Operations Group Public Affairs
Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England --  Members of the 352nd Special Operations Group with augmentation from the 100th Air Refueling Wing deployed to RAF Machrihanish, Scotland, to prove their professional mettle under the critical gaze of the Air Force Special Operations Inspector General’s team from Oct. 15 to 29.

More than 500 special operators and expeditionary combat support airmen, supported by elements of 1st— 10th Special Forces Group and the Naval Special Warfare Unit–2, were put through their operational paces by the AFSOC inspector general and exercise controllers from U.S. Special Operations Command Europe.

“It was easy to see the hard work and preparation that has gone into building such a dynamic exercise,” said Col. Dave Harris, IG commander. “We started Phase 2 favorably impressed by the highly professional Phase 1 effort as Team Mildenhall prepared and deployed seven aircraft, 200 short tons of cargo and 385 passengers including 34 from the 100th ARW.”

The inspection was planned with a break in the middle to allow components and all the players to get in place, and employ special operation air power while demonstrating the ability to survive and operate.

With roughly 40 sorties and more than 100 exercise inputs during the period, the gloves came off at exercise start as inspectors put each Air Force specialty through many realistic and demanding scenarios.

At the height of the simulated attacks, troops scattered for cover outside or dove under tables indoors donning the chemical warfare ensemble, mask and gloves.

Staff, planners, intelligence and Joint Air Operations Center personnel had it a little better than maintainers who performed tasks under the ever-changing Scottish skies.

“It’s easier to lay down on the ground than to sit on the pallets in the simulated bunkers with the mask on waiting for alarm black,” said Staff Sgt. John Van Pelt, 352nd Maintenance Squadron. “It’s easier to breathe that way, after the run from the ramp and performing buddy checks.”

A “buddy check” meant looking over a buddy’s chemical suit ensemble to makes sure the gear is on correctly.

To add to the realism, ground-burst simulators exploded in the areas while maintenance teams working on aircraft dashed for bunkers identified by orange marking tape and sandbags.

“We got used to it after about three days, and the inspectors commented on our good response to the scenarios,” Staff Sgt. Van Pelt said.

The inspection is a test on how well everyone responds and performs their primary job under the threat of enemy attack.

“From day one, every time I approached our troops they displayed a positive, ready-to-take-the-hill focus and can-do attitude,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Richardson, 352nd SOG command chief master sergeant. “There was no negative talk. In fact, the troops were disappointed when they didn’t get an opportunity to perform some of our specialized missions or tasks. I’m extremely proud of what we have accomplished here as a group.”

Common to all were the training aspects of the exercise as well.

“It provided us an opportunity to show a high-level of competence with some realistic training in bad weather,” said Lt. Col. Buck Elton, 7th Special Operations Squadron commander.

One of the MC-130H Combat Talon II air crews was selected to demonstrate escape and evasion procedures after a demanding, night terrain-following resupply mission. It was at night; it was cold; it was raining; it was windy, and it was pig-pen muddy.

“It wasn’t that bad since we were ready for this no-notice inject, and we achieved our objective, which was to escape,” said Technical Sgt. Eric Rigby, 7th SOS flight engineer. “I did have mud up to my flight suite waistline afterward though.”

“Crew four did a superb job demonstrating their ability to survive and evade in austere conditions,” said Lt. Col. Elton. “The ORI gave our squadron the opportunity to validate core tactics, techniques and procedures to include flying instrument metrological condition terrain following, air drops, re-supply and forward air refueling point operations — our combat capabilities.”

Combat capabilities are what an inspector is working to validate during the evaluation, and all had the chance to display those.

“I expected the 352nd SOG to perform well in all phases of this inspection, and they did,” said Col. Harris. The 352nd SOG constantly demonstrates their readiness during their frequent operational deployments. The command inspection focus is to improve and sustain readiness by identifying deficiencies for the unit and headquarters to address. We also identify positive cross tell to benefit other units — and we’ve seen lots of positives here.”

No matter how good everyone thinks they are, the proof is in performance.

“I’m very impressed with the attitude and abilities of the Air Commandos who make up the 352nd SOG,” said Col. Brad Webb, 352nd SOG commander. “At the outset of the ORI, I tasked each member of this group to approach their individual mission with a lazar beam focus. To stay engaged and work with their respective inspectors to show them what I already know about the men and women of this organization — that this group is war ready and battle tested. And I know they have surpassed what I’ve asked of them.”