HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Airmen from the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron performed Prime Basic Engineer Expeditionary Force training, in Waigali Village on Fort Bliss, Texas, June 15-16, 2022.
The purpose of Prime BEEF training is to ensure Airmen are deployment-ready. Airmen from the 49th CES conduct monthly training in a classroom at Holloman, but this is the first time they have been able to perform field training in coordination with tactical air control party Airmen stationed at Fort Bliss.
“It’s much better for us to come out to [Fort Bliss] and train with the TACP Airmen to get that hands-on aspect we’re missing,” said Staff Sgt. Leon Luis, 49th CES Prime BEEF training scheduler.
The 49th CES learned small unit tactics training, close-quarters combat, radio communications and land navigation from 7th Air Support Operations Squadron TACP.
“It’s important to teach these skills because no matter which Air Force Specialty Code you have, you may be expected to perform these specific tasks downrange,” said Senior Airman Christopher Holliman, 7th ASOS TACP.
Airmen of all ranks participated in the exercise, from company grade officers to junior enlisted, to ensure those with deployment experience could share their knowledge.
“We had four master sergeants at the exercise so they could provide their deployment and service experience,” said Luis. “This was their chance to pass that knowledge to brand-new lieutenants who may be leading a team for the first time, and a chance for our technical sergeants and staff sergeants to raise the bar for our troops.”
One of the 49th Wing mission priorities is to provide deployment ready Airmen, and this training provided 49th CES Airmen the ability to train at the highest level available.
“The feedback we received yesterday from the [49th CES] lieutenants and senior noncommissioned officers was that this training was above standard and more than they could have asked for,” said Holliman.
Leadership from the 49th CES hope that they can continue to train at this level in the future during their monthly Prime BEEF training exercises.
“We really appreciate [the 7th ASOS] for accommodating us out here,” said Luis. “We are hoping that this exercise can become a yearly training.”