TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 552nd Operations Group hosted a joint-service exercise, SENTRY REX 19-2, from Tinker Air Force Base earlier this Fall focused on Combat Search and Rescue mission integration.
This is the second time in 20 years that the 552nd OG has hosted this type of exercise, which included CH-47 Chinook Helicopters from the Tulsa Army National Guard, E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft from the 552nd Air Control Wing at Tinker AFB, E-8 Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft from Robins AFB, MC-12 Liberty Intelligence from the Oklahoma Air National Guard and KC-135R Stratotankers from the 77th Air Refueling Squadron Seymour Johnson to provide in-flight refueling support during the exercise periods.
The main goal of this exercise was to continue strengthening CSAR training opportunities.
“We are excited to integrate the advanced survival, evasion, resistance and escape integration with opposing forces, live isolated personnel, as well as a robust joint-operation center integration to replicate how detailed a CSAR response would be,” said Lt. Col. Brad Dvorak, 552nd Operations Support Squadron commander. “SENTRY REX 19-2 builds on training aircrews to be responsive to reactive scenario injects and rapidly integrate multiple battle management command and control platforms to respond to downed Airmen.”
While aircrew training played a large role in the scenario and exercise overall, this was done to support specific training by two distinct entities who mostly operated on the ground: the 552nd OG Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape professionals who provided the simulated downed aircrew awaiting rescue within “enemy territory” and the Joint Terminal Attack Controllers of the 137th Special Operations Wing, Oklahoma Air National Guard.
The 137th SOW is an ANG unit falling under the Air Force Special Operations Command. The JTACs were transported to the CSAR site by the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s CH-47s to locate and secure the survivors while wearing full equipment and using weapons firing non-lethal paint rounds. The 185th Operations Support Squadron, a unit of the 137th SOW, also assisted by setting up a tactical operations center, allowing for realistic intelligence injects.
This CSAR training opportunity aligns with Gen. David L. Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, direction on building joint partnerships.
“The CSAF has challenged us to get after training Joint Airmen and we’re fortunate to train with our local Oklahoma mission partners and integrate training opportunities at home plate,” said Dvorak. “This is a big win to be able to locally develop a robust training scenario to ensure all players are able to integrate and support the larger mission.”
Significant lessons were learned throughout the week. Dvorak explained how all players were able to take notes, provide constructive feedback and took every opportunity to learn about one another’s weapons system to ensure seamless integration.
Dvorak wants all units and partners involved to know: “We have today to train for the next fight, let’s be ready as a jointly capable force. Thank you for your participation!”