Hurlburt visits Cannon AFB for exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michelle Vickers and Staff Sgt. Jeff Andrejcik
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Hurlburt Field Airmen participated in an emergency deployment readiness exercise Jan. 24-29 at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.

The EDRE allowed Hurlburt Field to practice readiness in an emergency scenario, as well as the ability to work jointly with a partner base.

"The uniqueness of Air Force Special Operations Command and our mission require we take an expeditionary footing to be ready to deploy with minimum notice," said Lt. Col. Philip Forbes, 1st Special Operations Air Operations Squadron commander. "The only way to be able to do that is to exercise."

Cannon and Hurlburt Field personnel worked in unison around the clock to execute operations over the duration of the six day exercise.

"The first part is the mobility process, integrating all the operational functions of the wing to get out of town, and then executing a mission," Forbes said. "This allows us to identify our shortfalls and new processes we need to set up, as well as to get everybody in the mindset this could really happen."

The exercise allowed leadership to practice command and control in the field. Each participating Airman also exercised their career field's deployed functions.

"Whether you're a maintainer or communications, everyone plays a role," Forbes said.