MacDill AFB supports joint force exercise

The skies over MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, buzzed with the sounds of HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters as the base hosted a joint force deployment readiness exercise this month.

Using a C-5 Super Galaxy and two C-17 Globemaster III aircraft in a show of total force mobility, the 512th Airlift Wing from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, and the 445th Airlift Wing from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, transported the assets needed by the 305th Rescue Squadron from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona.

Air Force Reserve Airmen and Army special forces made the MacDill AFB Deployed Unit Complex their temporary home for the exercise as the location is ideal for operations taking place at the Avon Park Air Force Range. Resources available at MacDill AFB and the Tampa Bay area provide all the necessities for successful mission completion for the units.

"It's been very beneficial being at MacDill AFB, especially with the facilities available here," said an Army special forces captain who could not be named due to operational security. "Being here provides different environments than we are used to."

The 305th RQS conducted readiness operations at Avon Park and over Tampa Bay. Working together honed the units' deployment readiness.

"We don't get as many chances to train with the Air Force, so integrating with the 305th RQS in the air and on the ground has been beneficial to our training," the Army captain said.

The time spent at MacDill AFB was crucial for the aircrews to get up to date with the training qualifications.

"We don't really get a chance to do a lot of water work in Tucson, (Arizona), so we're here to get water certification and train in an unfamiliar area to help better prepare for deployments," said Air Force Reserve 1st Lt. Scott Lauth, a 305th RQS HH-60 Pave Hawk pilot. "You need to be able to be ready at all times for what needs to be done, but if you're going to get a bit better, you have to be doing it consistently. That's the only way to improve."

With a joint force exercise involving several units across the Department of Defense comes meticulous planning to ensure every aspect of the training day runs smoothly.

"There's a huge mobility piece that many of our squad had to figure out," Lauth said. "From getting the aircraft here and unloaded and maintenance making sure that they're ready for every flight, every day, it's a huge workload just to make sure that all those things come together in harmony."

MacDill provides unmatched installation and mission support in supporting outside units.

"It's been awesome that we're so close to the water, and we can get out almost every day," Lauth said. "MacDill (AFB) and the area has just been really accommodating to us being able to go out and complete our training, come back and go out multiple times a day. It's been great training, and I look forward to doing it in the future if we get the chance."

It takes a lot of heavy lifting to host a wide range of missions, but the team at MacDill AFB ensures the best quality support anytime, anywhere.

Aircrew prepare to unload an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 305th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., from a C-5 Super Galaxy assigned to the 512th Airlift Wing, Dover Air Force Base, Del., at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 6, 2019.

Aircrew prepare to unload an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 305th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., from a C-5 Super Galaxy aircraft assigned to the 512th Airlift Wing, Dover AFB, Del., at MacDill AFB, Fla., Nov. 6, 2019. The helicopters and support equipment were delivered to MacDill AFB as part of a joint exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan C. Grossklag)

Aircrew prepare to unload an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 305th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., from a C-5 Super Galaxy assigned to Dover Air Force Base, Del., at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 6, 2019.

Aircrew prepare to unload an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 305th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., from a C-5 Super Galaxy aircraft assigned to Dover AFB, Del., at MacDill AFB, Fla., Nov. 6, 2019. The helicopters were delivered to MacDill AFB as part of a joint exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan C. Grossklag)

An HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 305th Rescue Squadron (RQS), Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., flies above the waters of Tampa Bay, Fla., Nov. 8, 2019.

An HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 305th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., flies above the waters of Tampa Bay, Fla., Nov. 8, 2019. MacDill Air Force Base hosted the 305th RQS and special forces for a joint force exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan C. Grossklag)

U.S. Air Force Reserve Master Sgt. Jeremy Sutter, a special missions aviator assigned to the 305th Rescue Squadron (RQS), Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., operates an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter's .50-caliber weapon over Avon Park Air Force Range, Fla., Nov. 8, 2019.

Air Force Reserve Master Sgt. Jeremy Sutter, a special missions aviator assigned to the 305th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., operates an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter .50-caliber weapon over Avon Park Air Force Range, Fla., Nov. 8, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan C. Grossklag)

Air Mobility Command and U.S. Air Force Reserve Airmen upload an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 305th Rescue Squadron (RQS), Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., onto a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 445th Airlift Wing (AW), Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio., at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Nov. 20, 2019.

Air Mobility Command and Air Force Reserve Airmen upload an HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter assigned to the 305th Rescue Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft assigned to the 445th Airlift Wing, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, at MacDill AFB, Fla., Nov. 20, 2019. The 445th AW supported the departure of the 305th RQS following a joint force deployment exercise with Army special forces member. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Ryan C. Grossklag)

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