Agile Wolf 20-04: 435 CRG bolsters readiness

The 435th Contingency Response Group held their fourth iteration of exercise Agile Wolf to strengthen their tactics, techniques and procedures for establishing airfields in austere environments, May 26 – 28.

U.S. Air Force loadmasters assigned to the 37th Airlift Squadron and U.S. Army jumpmasters assigned to the 5th Quartermaster, Rhine Ordnance Barracks, pull static lines into a C-130J Super Hercules over Ramstein Air Base, May 26. The joint effort contributed to the 435th Contingency Response Group’s airborne insertion training for Agile Wolf 20-04. Agile Wolf 20-04 is an exercise designed to sharpen the 435th CRG’s tactics, techniques and procedures for establishing expeditionary airfields on demand. Photos by Staff Sgt. Devin Boyer

Agile Wolf provides the 435th CRG an opportunity to train on their various skill sets locally, saving the Air Force travel costs while still achieving their goals.

“Agile Wolf is an exercise that grows every time we do it, but the overall objective remains the same,” said Capt. Richard Boyle, 435th Contingency Response Squadron contingency response director of operations. “Our goal is to be able to grab different Airmen from our units, from various career fields, and make sure they can work together and operate bare-base by building our tents and operating the runway.”

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 435th Contingency Response Group holds an M-4 carbine assault rifle while securing a landing zone during exercise Agile Wolf 20-04 at Ramstein Air Base, May 26. Members of the 435th Security Forces provide security for expeditionary forces during base build-ups and airfield assessments.

This iteration of Agile Wolf included more than 30 Air Force specialties. Due to the vast functions the unit provides, leadership ensured the exercise was as robust as possible.

“The objective of Agile Wolf is to provide low-cost local training that’s tailorable, scalable and allows proficiency training for our core mission sets, which are opening airfields, command and control, quick-turn maintenance, aerial port maintenance, and landing zone assessments and surveys,” said Lt. Col. Sean McCurdy, 435th CRS commander.

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 435th Security Forces Squadron and 435th Contingency Response Squadron jump from a C-130J Super Hercules over Ramstein Air Base, May 26. The Airmen practiced airborne insertion into the base for Agile Wolf 20-04. Agile Wolf 20-04 is an exercise designed to sharpen the 435th Contingency Response Group’s tactics, techniques and procedures for establishing expeditionary airfields on demand. Photos by Senior Airman Milton Hamilton

The 37th Airlift Squadron provided airlift for the 435th CRG paratroopers, so they could practice descending into the airfield which they would then assess. The U.S. Army also provided aircrew and a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to give Airmen the opportunity to practice sling load operations. The joint effort bolstered the 435th CRG’s interoperational capabilities.

“To be here at home and be able to practice skills that are required for real world operations is vital and allows our partners and allies to rely on us,” Boyle said.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Levi Rodney, 435th Contingency Response Squadron unit training section chief, marks the drop zone for jumpers assigned to the 435th CRS and 435th Security Forces Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, May 26. The jumpers descended from a C130-J Super Hercules aircraft and landed in the field as part of Agile Wolf 20-04.

As the sole unit in U.S. Air Forces in Europe — Air Forces Africa that provides expeditionary airfields on demand, the 435th CRG utilizes and deploys small specialized teams throughout both continents to successfully implement their mission.

“Agile Wolf provides a great venue to explore new capabilities as we seek to bring on either new equipment or new manpower in the future,” McCurdy said. “We have to be ready to go out the door at a moment’s notice and maintain a high state of training and readiness.”

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kyle Volentine, 435th Contingency Response Group jumpmaster, lands in a field after jumping out of a C-130J Super Hercules during exercise Agile Wolf 20-04 at Ramstein Air Base, May 26. After landing, the 435th CRG paratroopers packed their equipment and secured the landing zone perimeter.

By executing the Agile Wolf exercises on a recurring basis, the 435th CRG boosts their confidence, flexibility and capability to assist and work with allies and partner nations.

“Agile Wolf is a great way to integrate our USAFE joint and coalition partners to enhance interoperability, as well as to demonstrate our collective security throughout the theater,” McCurdy said. “In doing this, we build partnership capacity throughout the region as well as create a formidable deterrent for any theater actors.”

The 435th CRG will continue to hold these exercises in the future, offering Airmen the training necessary to conduct operations anywhere at any time.