728th supports readiness exercise Published April 14, 2011 By Lois Walsh EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla -- Convoys of trucks rolled out the gates April 1 to begin a 10-day training exercise in two geographically separated locations. The convoys, belonging to the 728th Air Control Squadron, are supporting the squadron's first large-scale field training exercise in more than two years. One of only three combat-coded air control squadrons in Air Combat Command, the squadron was reassigned to the 552d Air Control Wing, Tinker AFB, Okla., in May 2008, after 14 years under the 33rd Fighter Wing. A line of trucks headed to Savannah, Ga., carrying a radar and command and control equipment which will connect via satellite to relay tactical data link information and a "real time" air picture to the Control and Reporting Center at Duke Field. Controllers there will provide battle management of flying operations taking place in airspaces off the coast of Georgia. Exercise Demon Dare, with more than 170 Airmen participating, is the first large-scale exercise for the 728th ACS since 2008 because of their heavy deployment schedule. The squadron has continuously deployed in support of contingency operations overseas for the last eight years. While deployed, the squadron is the "eyes in the skies," watching over air refueling, Army convoys, Special Forces and combat search and rescue missions. "My focus for the Airmen is getting back to the basics since our last deployment," said Lt. Col. Dominic Setka, 728th commander. "We don't get many opportunities to deploy with our own equipment," he said. "Getting to practice packing up, mobilizing, deploying, setting up and employing our equipment is valuable experience." Tech Sgt. Kevin Spainhoward said it takes months to work the logistical aspects of the exercise deployment for the 60 Airmen convoying to Savannah and the 110 Airmen heading to Duke Field. "There was coordination with all the units participating, including getting frequency approvals, plus housing and feeding everyone," he said. Sergeant Spainhoward said there are 26 different career fields represented in the 728th. Everyone knows how to drive the squadron's different vehicles and keep all their equipment operational. Simply put, they are trained to show up to an undisclosed location in theatre and set up a forward operating location from the ground up. Tech. Sgt. Christopher Akins was a convoy lead heading to Duke Field. He expected his trucks to make multiple runs back to main base during the weekend to transport the needed equipment for the CRC. All systems had to be operational when Phase II of the exercise kicked off April 4. "It's a chance to run all the equipment and troubleshoot any problems ahead of time so we don't have issues on the road," Sergeant Akins said. Tech Sgt. Zoe Didier-Purdie was heading to Savannah but didn't expect much free time to enjoy the city. Her job is to defeat new adversarial jammers being employed against the squadron's radar. She's deployed six times and admitted to "deployment flashback" as she checked out the trucks in line, ready to depart. It's like a deployment without the stress of the real world," Sergeant Didier-Purdie said. "You can take the time to think about what you're doing, make corrections on the spot and gather lessons learned." Colonel Setka said the exercise builds confidence for the Airmen involved, although many of the players have multiple deployments under their belt. "Our ops tempo is six months deployed and 10 months home," Colonel Setka said. "Some Airmen haven't missed a year in Iraq since 2003." While home, the squadron continues training, earning combat qualification with their equipment and spinning up for the next deployment. This year won't be an exception. Half of the squadron is ready to head out again in July but this time to a new location, Afghanistan.