Holloman Airman complete three-day deployment exercise

  • Published
  • By 49th Wing Public Affairs office
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE N.M. --  One hundred and sixty-nine Holloman Airman from every specialty completed a three-day deployment exercise August 20. The exercise was part of the Air Force's Commander's Inspection Program that was rolled out last year and specifically focuses on the bases' ability to rapidly deploy combat ready Airmen and equipment worldwide.

The Commander's Inspection Program is designed to test a unit's ability to accomplish the mission with little warning, and provides timely constructive feedback on areas of excellence, or areas that need improvement.

Lt. Col. Cory Bennett, the 49th Wing Inspector General, creates the exercise scenarios and manages the 190 inspectors that are charged with ensuring the base is ready to meet the mission head-on, 24/7.

"To successfully execute and sustain the new Inspection System all Airmen must mentally shift away from the outdated "Cold War" inspection process. The previous system was ridged and inflexible. The new inspection process allows commanders the flexibility to shape the exercise based on objectives they set forth."

The Commanders Inspection Program differs from traditional exercises or inspections by being an ongoing process that is always evaluating the bases performance, and capabilities.

To safely deploy 169 combat ready personnel and equipment takes the efforts of every Holloman Airman, both active duty and civilian. Bill Guthrie, the installation deployment officer and the man responsible for coordinating the base's response, understands this more than anyone.

"We ensure our Airmen and their equipment reach their deployed location on time, every time," said Guthrie. "The process of moving cargo and personnel during a mass deployment differs greatly from what we do day-to-day, and without the support and teamwork we receive, we wouldn't be able to get the mission done."

Guthrie leads a team of 90 personnel who manages the deployment process and ensures that we send the right people, at the right time, and with the right equipment to locations worldwide.

In total, Holloman successfully processed approximately 300 tons of cargo which included everything from shower units and aircraft parts, to medical supplies and ammunition. Moving that much cargo is no small feat, and it falls to the Wing Installation Deployment Readiness Center to make it happen.

Master Sgt. David Loera, the IDRC superintendent said, "From cradle to grave, our team ensures our customers receive the right equipment, when they need it, to accomplish the U.S. Central Command's mission."

Team Holloman can expect a few more exercises in the coming months similar to this one, but with scenarios taken right from the headlines and focused on areas highlighted during this and previous training events.

"Gone are the days of focusing on deploying the entire Wing," said Bennett. "Our focus now is flexibility; we can deploy in large numbers or in small groups to support efforts around the globe. The Wing Commander fully understands and supports our deployment mission. He is focused on ensuring every Airman that deploys from Holloman is properly trained and equipped to complete the mission and safely return home."