Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Clayton CupitA U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 349th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan. while flying over Yakima, Wash., Aug. 3, 2017. More than 3,000 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and international partners converged on the state of Washington in support of Mobility Guardian. The exercise is intended to test the abilities of the Mobility Air Forces to execute rapid global mobility missions in dynamic, contested environments. Mobility Guardian is Air Mobility Command’s premier exercise, providing an opportunity for the Mobility Air Forces to train with joint and international partners in airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation and mobility support. The exercise is designed to sharpen Airmen’s skills in support of combatant commander requirements.
Crews flew approximately 1,200 hours in eight days, executing nearly 650 sorties during Exercise Mobility Guardian, July 31 to Aug. 12.
During those missions, refueling aircraft offloaded roughly 1.2 million pounds of fuel; aerial port personnel processed 3,676 passengers and 4,911 tons of equipment; and crews airdropped 356 paratroopers, 33 heavy platforms and nearly 300 Container Delivery System bundles.
“I think [Mobility Guardian] was very beneficial because it was the first exercise in a long time where the sole focus was on the desired learning objectives of the Mobility forces across the spectrum: contingency response, aeromedical evacuation, air mobility liaison officers, air refueling, airlift, airdrop and much more,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Johnny Lamontagne, Mobility Guardian combined forces air component commander.
Mobility Guardian included 54 aircraft from 11 nations and enabled personnel from 25 nations to enhance interoperability.
“It was great for them to be able to see how we operate and for us to see how they operate,” said Lamontagne. “When the United States goes into combat, we go with our international partners, but we rarely get to train together.
Air Force photograph by Staff Sgt. Robert HicksStaff Sgt. Jeff Marston, 921st Contingency Response Squadron maintainer, marshalls an aircraft during exercise Mobility Guardian at Moses Lake, Washington, Aug. 3, 2017. Approximately 100 Airmen from the 821st Contingency Response Group deployed to Moses Lake in support of Air Mobility Command’s premier readiness exercise Mobility Guardian.
“This was a great opportunity to integrate so when we go into combat, it’s not the first time we’ve worked together; we already have some experience and understand each other’s capabilities,” he added.
The exercise included more than 3,500 U.S. service members and international partners who worked to measure the effectiveness of the Mobility Air Forces in contingency and humanitarian response operations.
“Mobility Guardian was about learning, discovery and the opportunity to work as a part of a joint and coalition team,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. Carlton D. Everhart II, Air Mobility Command commander. “This exercise was an investment in ensuring our Airmen are prepared to succeed in the most challenging environments and deliver desired results across the globe.”
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Christopher DyerA U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules performs multiple airdrops during Exercise Mobility Guardian at Yakima Training Center, Wash., Aug. 3, 2017. More than 3,000 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and international partners converged on the state of Washington in support of Mobility Guardian. The exercise is intended to test the abilities of the Mobility Air Forces to execute rapid global mobility missions in dynamic, contested environments. Mobility Guardian is Air Mobility Command’s premier exercise, providing an opportunity for the Mobility Air Forces to train with joint and international partners in airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation and mobility support. The exercise is designed to sharpen AirmenÕs skills in support of combatant commander requirements.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Clayton CupitAircrew members from the 349th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., talk with maintainers from the 22nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., about aircraft details during Exercise Mobility Guardian, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Aug. 3, 2017. More than 3,000 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and international partners converged on the state of Washington in support of Mobility Guardian. The exercise is intended to test the abilities of the Mobility Air Forces to execute rapid global mobility missions in dynamic, contested environments. Mobility Guardian is Air Mobility Command’s premier exercise, providing an opportunity for the Mobility Air Forces to train with joint and international partners in airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation and mobility support. The exercise is designed to sharpen Airmen’s skills in support of combatant commander requirements.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Clayton CupitCapt. Aaron Cho (left) and Capt. Jared MacNaught, both pilots from the 349th Air Refueling Squadron, McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., fly a KC-135 Stratotanker into a visual approach during Exercise Mobility Guardian, while flying over Yakima, Wash., Aug. 3, 2017. More than 3,000 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and international partners converged on the state of Washington in support of Mobility Guardian. The exercise is intended to test the abilities of the Mobility Air Forces to execute rapid global mobility missions in dynamic, contested environments. Mobility Guardian is Air Mobility Command’s premier exercise, providing an opportunity for the Mobility Air Forces to train with joint and international partners in airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation and mobility support. The exercise is designed to sharpen Airmen’s skills in support of combatant commander requirements.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Ericka EngblomU.S. Air Force Airmen carry a simulated victim while participating in an aeromedical scenario during Exercise Mobility Guardian, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Aug. 3, 2017. More than 3,000 Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and international partners converged on the state of Washington in support of Mobility Guardian. The exercise is intended to test the abilities of the Mobility Air Forces to execute rapid global mobility missions in dynamic, contested environments. Mobility Guardian is Air Mobility Command’s premier exercise, providing an opportunity for the Mobility Air Forces to train with joint and international partners in airlift, air refueling, aeromedical evacuation and mobility support.
