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AF expeditionary units participate in inaugural Turkey Shoot training competition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jennifer Redente
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
Three Air Force expeditionary flying units here participated in the 2009 Inaugural Turkey Shoot Training Competition, which allows expeditionary units to plan and execute tactical missions with airframes that don't regularly train together, Aug. 11-13. 

The expeditionary units are deployed here in support of U.S. Pacific Command's Continuous Bomber Presence and Theater Security Package in the Asia-Pacific Region. The three teams, from the 96th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron and the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, were comprised of four F-22 Raptors, four B-52 Stratofortresses and one KC-135 Stratotanker. 

"The purpose of the competition was to get all 36th Wing flying assets together in an exercise, so we can learn to employ together," said Capt. David Wright, deployed here with the 525th EFS as a F-22 Raptor pilot and a planner for the Inaugural Turkey Shoot coordination team. "What we wanted to do is get everybody together, present a tactical problem to the entire group, so we would have to plan it out as a group, solve it as a group and then execute it as a group." 

The training competition, which was conducted on an uninhabited island north of Saipan, presented tactical challenges that required the team to have four B-52s release 24 bombs on target during the mock exercise. The F-22s provided offensive-counter air allowing the B-52s to reach the target and return to the installation safely, enabling the bombers to focus on putting the bombs on target, on time. 

"The tactical problem [presented] a long strike route, and they were spaced out pretty far apart," Captain Wright said. "What that means is that we have to take the four F-22s and spend a long time in the airspace. So we have to plan appropriately to manage our fuel and weapons to keep the B-52s safe the entire time. It was a difficult tactical problem." 

Captain Wright has participated in similar training events in the past, which range from working with one airframe to working with several different types of airframes. 

"What it really comes down to is the planning," he said. "The point is to get everybody together and force them to come up with a solution to the problem as a team." 

The refueling squadron was challenged with offloading 60,000 pounds of fuel for their team of fighters and bombers. 

Capt. Adam Walker, a KC-135 Stratotanker co-pilot with the 506th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, was a part of the first team who flew here Aug. 11. 

"I thought it was pretty interesting," Captain Walker said. "It was the first time I refueled F-22s. It's a pretty neat airplane especially to see up close. I really enjoyed being able to take part of the exercise." 

Captain Walker said being involved with the exercise was unique. 

"You don't normally [coordinate with different airframes] from home station," he said. "It's neat to coordinate with them and see how they mission plan, and then actually go out and accomplish the mission. Normally, you leave your base and fly your mission, and they leave their base and meet you. You don't really have much interaction." 

Many aircrew members involved in the competition said getting to see the capabilities of the F-22 airframe was a beneficial experience. 

"I thought it was an awesome experience getting to see how the F-22s employ in a simulated combat environment," said Capt. Michael Stepan, 96th EBS electronic warfare officer. "It was definitely a valuable experience for everyone involved. I invaluable knowledge that I can use later on should I go to combat." 

In September, 506th EARS will return to March Air Reserve Base, Calif., and 525th EFS will return to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. The 96th EBS will return to Barksdale AFB, La., in October once the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron arrives to support the Continuous Bomber Presence.