Intensive training keeps reservists deployment-ready

UTAH TEST AND TRAINING RANGE — In war, there is no time for mistakes.

Split-second decisions could mean life or death for airmen stationed abroad.

"Lives depend on getting these skills right," said Col. Sharon Dunbar, commander of Hill Air Force Base's 75th Air Base Wing.

More than 200 airmen from the 75th wrapped up an intensive training mission Friday in Utah's West Desert. Meanwhile, back at the home base, approximately 1,300 traditional reservists from Hill's 419th Fighter Wing return to the base today for their monthly weekend of training.

This constant training is an excellent way to keep both active and reservist airmen trained and ready for deployment, said Col. Gary Batinich, commander of the 419th.

Snow, hail and rain couldn't stop the 75th Air Base Wing from training at the Utah Test and Training Range this week. Airmen trained in convoy operations, weapons-handling and a handful of other scenarios they might face during combat.

"This is intensive training in a repetitive nature, which will make reaction second nature," Lt. Col. Rob Rocco said of the Utah Test and Training Range mission. "You've got to do it over and over and over. They need to react.

"I'd rather have an uncomfortable airman here than to have to write a letter to a parent and have to tell them we failed to provide them the training they needed to survive and come home safely."

The group of mission support personnel was training for a possible deployment to the Middle East this fall.

While planning the exercise, Air Force officials worried about potential dehydration and heat exhaustion. But they had no need to worry — the sun was nowhere to be seen. Instead, thunderstorms with rain, hail and snow delayed training for hours Tuesday morning.

"This is quite possibly the worst conditions to train in," Rocco said. "This is not the way we wanted to start, but we'll finish like a pro."

Mock insurgents terrorized airmen throughout the mission.

When the airmen first arrived at the base, a group of mock insurgents protested their arrival, shouting insults as the buses roared by.

The insurgents detonated a bomb, then sneaked into the Oasis to kidnap a group of airmen. Senior Airman Amber Lonas was one of three airmen who endured a grueling interrogation.