Aircrew demonstrates water survival techniques

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard practice maneuvering out from under a downed canopy during water survival training June 26, 2015, at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center in Guernsey, Wyo. Aircrew members performed physical training, weapons qualification, water survival, combat survival, and Joint Precision Airdrop Delivery System training during four days of annual training at Guernsey. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Charles Delano)

Aircrew qualify on 9mm

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard qualify with 9mm pistol, June 26, 2015, at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center in Guernsey, Wyo. Aircrew members performed physical training, weapons qualification, water survival, combat survival, and Joint Precision Airdrop Delivery System training during four days of annual training at Guernsey. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Charles Delano)

Aircrew practices drops near Guernsey

A C-130H Hercules aircraft assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard drops a Container Delivery System bundle during Joint Precision Airdrop Delivery System (JPADS) training, June 27, 2015, at a drop zone near Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center, in Guernsey, Wyo. Aircrew members performed physical training, weapons qualification, water survival, combat survival, and JPADS training during four days of annual training at Guernsey. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Charles Delano)

Aircrew practices drops near Guernsey

An aircrew assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard drops a Container Delivery System (CDS) bundle from a C-130H Hercules aircraft from about 5,000 feet above ground during Joint Precision Airdrop Delivery System (JPADS) training June 27, 2015, at the North Training Area, Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center, Wyo. The aircrew delivered the CDS bundle within feet of their intended target. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Charles Delano)

Operations Group conducts training at Camp Guernsey

Published June 30, 2015
By Master Sgt. Charles Delano
153rd Airlift Wing

GUERNSEY, Wyoming -- C-130H Hercules aircrews assigned to the 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard spent four days at Camp Guernsey Joint Training Center completing annual training. For the past several years, aircrews have been convening in Guernsey to complete the USAF Fitness Assessment, 9mm weapons qualification, water survival, combat survival, assault landing training, and Joint Precision Airdrop Delivery System (JPADS) qualification.

"Guernsey is a very convenient place to complete our annual training", said Maj. Neil Harlow, 153rd Operations Support Group Chief of Training. "The drop zones, gun range, and reservoir are right here so we can walk out of the dorms, go for a quick bus ride, and start training, making it extremely efficient. It is also very cost effective. Billeting and meals cost about $30 per day which allows the Airmen to stay overnight and be ready to go at it again the next day."

The four days of training started off with mission planning, aircraft loading, and heavy equipment airdrops at the drop zone. After a day of flying, the next two mornings began with the USAF fitness assessment. For the cardio portion of the assessment, Airmen ran on a tank trail, certified for PT testing, which is 1708 feet lower than the track in Cheyenne. The second day included weapons safety training and concluded with 9mm weapon qualifications at the range. Water survival and combat survival were taught at the reservoir at Guernsey State Park. And, finally, Container Delivery System bundles were dropped for JPADS qualifications. For the entirety of training, aircrew members conducted assault landing training for every flight.

For the operations group, the training comes at the required time every year. By scheduling all the training in the Summer, aircrew members become due at the same time. There are some logistical hurdles trying to coordinate availability of combat arms instructors, aircrew flight equipment instructors, and air transportation specialists for the four days of training but the results are worth the effort.

More pictures from the event are available on the Wyoming Guard Flickr page