2 Wing Refines its Expeditionary Capabilities in Louisiana
June 5, 2024 - Defence Stories
Author: Lieutenant Nabil Allou, 2 Wing Bagotville, Public Affairs Officer
Caption
Group photo of participants from the 621st Contingency Response Wing of the United States Air Force during Exercise STORM FLAG 24-07 at Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana. Two members of 2 Wing (in green uniforms), Captain Estéban Simard and Sergeant Dany Rioux, are among them. 8 May 2024. Photo credit: Tech. Sgt. Anastasia Tompkins, United States Air Force.
From 30 April to 12 May, several members from 2 Wing participated in Exercise STORM FLAG 24-07 (Ex SF) at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, Louisiana, in the United States.
Formerly known as Exercise GREEN FLAG LITTLE ROCK, Ex SF is a recurring tactical airlift training exercise. Led by the instructor team of the 34th Combat Training Squadron of the United States Air Force (USAF), this exercise aims at integrating an air component into ground combat operations.
Ex SF provided an immersive experience in a simulated ground warfare environment, where participants from 2 Wing worked closely with allies from the USAF and the U.S. Army. Nearly 4,000 military personnel participated in this exercise. Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force's 8 Wing were also present, equipped with two CC-130J Hercules tactical transport aircraft capable of carrying 128 passengers.
Caption
Sergeant Alex Gagnon and Master-Corporal Darlin Jules, on the left and right respectively, members of 2 Wing’s construction engineering section, participate in airfield surface assessment and reconnaissance during Exercise STORM FLAG 24-07 at Fort Johnson in Louisiana, U.S.A. 6 May 2024. Photo credit: United States Air Force.
At Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana and Fort Johnson Airfield, various scenarios were set up to enhance joint operations skills. As in Exercise COPE NORTH 24, the concept of Agile Combat Employment (ACE) was fundamental. As a reminder, ACE is based on several key principles, including asset dispersion, resilience, mobility and flexibility.
As part of the exercise, these principles were implemented to simulate operations in environments where main air bases could be threatened or unavailable. Participants were thus faced with scenarios where they had to deploy and maintain their operational capabilities from forward bases or improvised sites, while remaining responsive to rapidly changing situations.
Although many units were present, the participation of 2 Wing was primarily integrated with members of the 621st Contingency Response Wing (621 CRW), which has a mandate very similar to that of Bagotville's expeditionary wing.
The integration with 621 CRW in many aspects of the exercise meant that "sharing of best practices was facilitated, as were the strengthening of allied partnerships and the improvement of interoperability between the American and Canadian forces," said Captain Estéban Simard, who served as an observer for 2 Wing in the Tactical Operations Center. “This ensures that we are ready to work effectively alongside our American allies in real-world operations,” he added.
Members of 2 Wing participated throughout the exercise, taking part in expeditionary air traffic management, communication and information services, and construction engineering. Ex SF is clearly much more than just training: it is a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge and solidify bonds between allies!