Air Commandos kick off TFX Olympus Archer

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Callaway
  • 1st Special Operations Wing

More than 230 Air Commandos and seven aircraft with the 1st Special Operations Wing arrived here, for Task Force Exercise Olympus Archer, Aug. 15.

Full Mission Profiles began Aug. 18, with aircrews teaming up with members of the 21st Special Tactics Squadron and 1st Special Operations Medical Group to conduct medical evacuations and in-flight medical procedures.

“This is one of the few training exercises we get to affect what we accomplish,” said Lt. Col. Chad Anthony, TFX commander. “Most of the time we are supporting other units and joint partners that we work with when we are deployed. This is an opportunity where we get to draw the fight. We get in all the training events we need to continue carrying out the deployed mission we are doing on a daily basis.”

Olympus Archer focuses on maximizing training opportunities to prepare Air Commandos for future combat operations.

“Some of the events we are simulating during the exercise happen in the real world when we are deployed,” Anthony said. “The more opportunities we get to integrate and practice those scenarios is important.”

In order to simulate overseas contingency operations, the air and ground forces will plan missions here, but will conduct the mission at Atterbury-Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, Indiana.


“Now is the time to test ourselves and train so we are ready when we are faced with a no fail situation,” Anthony said.

On days that FMPs are not being conducted, aircrews are scheduled to conduct various training operations such as tactical air refueling and low-level flying operations.

“We value our people’s time,” Anthony said. “If we are going to bring people off station and away from their families, we want to make sure we are getting something out of it. The big thing for me is that we are taking care of our people while we are out here, and everyone is getting something out of the exercise.”