OCR Text |
Show KiUTCITtMS 1f r NjXj Vv 1. Si. nn..v . ? "i I 0 Leading Edge II y . a v " I i I pit A munitions trailer is loaded onto a flat-be- d trailer for shipment to Nellis AFB, Nev., for Leading Edge II. truck loads of equipment were shipped for the exercise. Twenty-fou- r ijteircDse 1?sJs' rapid! ireiii,DDD umti response A hot spot breaks out somewhere in the world that's vital to American interests. The National Command Authority decides to respond with mili-- tary force. A small, rapid reaction tactical fighter unit responds as the leading edge of the response. Although it's a hypothetical situation, it's one that can happen. Members of the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron, its aircraft maintenance unit, and other members of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing maintenance complex here tested that concept at Nellis AFB, Nev., during exercise Leading Edge II, Feb. 21 through Wednesday. "Leading Edge is a program to evaluate our quick reaction capability," explained Lt. Col. Ron Daskevich, 421st TFS commander. "We need to be able to deploy to a hot spot quickly. Leading Edge cuts the normal deployment package for 24 airplanes by about 100 people and half as much support equipment." Colonel Daskevich said Leading Edge is designed to simulate the first seven days of conflict. The 421st TFS began its mobilization process last week, by deploying maintenance and support personnel Feb. 18, and 24 6 Fighting Falcons Feb. 22. Upon arrival at Nellis AFB, the aircraft were reconfigured and regenerated for operational sorties employing live munitions. "The program is designed to put out a minimum of 28 sorties a day, but we're going to test the package to see how many sorties we can produce with k the support package," Colonel Daskvich said before his squadron deployed. "Leading Edge is more of a test for munitions and maintenance," he continued. "The munitions specialists are going to be building up and loading live bombs. Our normal flying around here is not a true test of their ability. Maintenance will have to produce the aircraft for the missions." The actual mobilization to Nellis AFB was done truck, according to 1st Lt. Ken by bus and flat-be- d McDougall, wing mobility officer. "We marshalled the cargo, developed load plans and schedules, just like we would for air shipment, " he said, "except we loaded it all on 24 flat-be- d F-1- v w'82?9fcs1' II: Ground crews had to de-ic- e aircraft prior to the departure to Nellis AFB for exercise Leading Edge II. cut-bac- trucks." ; - Personnel were transported on six commercial buses which left the base early the morning of Feb. 18. "It's actually cheaper for us to use trucks and buses than to use airlift," he explained. "A Starlifter costs the wing about $30,000 for a oneway trip. The trucks cost us $34,800 round trip, and the buses were $11,000 round trip." He said although the wing would not deploy by truck and bus to distant locations, the use of trucks and buses is very realistic if the wing were to disperse to Wendover, Nev., or Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. ' Colonel Daskevich said the Air Force will use the data from this exercise to determine the size and scope of Leading Edge packages for several years I . l - I f sit C-1- 41 to come. ; ... . mm ; 4? - y-. ! I xw f . Members of the 421st Aircraft Maintenance Unit go through the mobility processing line in preparation for their deployment to Nellis AFB, Nev., for Leading Edge II. U.S. Air Force " Story and Photos by 1st Lt. Ed Worhy 388th Tactical Fighter Wing -- |