Agile Wolf continues to build expeditionary skill-sets

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 435th Contingency Response Squadron and the 37th Airlift Squadron load a Humvee onto a C-130J Super Hercules during exercise Agile Wolf at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 19. Together, the two squadrons provide the European theater’s only airlift, airdrop, and aeromedical evacuation capability. The exercise is designed to give the 435th CRS and 37th AS a chance to simulate mobility operations in a contingent environment.

The 435th Contingency Response Squadron and 37th Airlift Squadron participated in the second iteration of Exercise Agile Wolf at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 18-20.

The exercise enhanced the 435th CRS’s ability to coordinate and carry out mobility operations with the 37th AS in a semi-permissive environment. This time, both squadrons built on the foundations they laid in the first Agile Wolf.

“We have learned that we are very good at performing our main mission elements of opening an expeditionary airfield,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Brad Seehawer, 435th CRS assistant operations officer. “This serves as a good deterrent for our adversaries because it indicates that we’re ready and allows us to improve in areas to make us a more agile force.”

U.S. Air Force Maj. Bradlee Seehawer, 435th Contingency Response Squadron assistant operations officer, conducts runway evaluations during exercise Agile Wolf at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 18. The exercise afforded Seehawer his first opportunity to land navigation to perform the evaluations. The 435th CRS is the only contingency response unit in the Air Force with airlift capabilities and this exercise utilized the airfield assessment capabilities of the CRS.

Integration between the 37th AS and the 435th CRS is key for rapid global mobility.

“Being able to work with the 37th as well as other partners increases our ability to get out the door, stand up air bases and sustain them,” said Staff Sgt. Bryan Johnson, 435th CRS mobile aerial porter.

 

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 435th Contingency Response Squadron huddle before performing runway evaluations during exercise Agile Wolf at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 18. Airmen from 20 different career fields came together to share their knowledge while working toward a common goal. This effort allows 435th CRS Airmen to develop diverse skill sets that support their ability to rapidly deploy while leaving a small footprint.

The exercise brought together Airmen from 20 different Air Force Specialty Codes. Airmen that may not always work together had the chance to learn from one another and look at things from a different perspective.

“We have a very diverse set of specialty codes and skills that we can take advantage of,” said Johnson.

 

Sharing knowledge between squadron and career fields further enhanced their partnerships.

Johnson said, “Agile Wolf demonstrates how rapidly the Air Force can mobilize and execute with precision.”

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Degen, right, 435th Contingency Response Squadron mobile aerial porter, trains Airmen 1st Class Cecilia Bak, 435th CRS mobile aerial porter, on radio procedures during exercise Agile Wolf at Ramstein Air Base, Feb. 18.

Both squadrons plan to continue Exercise Agile Wolf every quarter to strengthen the ability to provide the region’s only airlift, airdrop, and aeromedical evacuation operations capability and provide professional airlift to any country, any time.