Community leaders train with troops to enter combat zone

Recent high school graduate Shey Titus experienced what deployed Airmen go through during a deployment to a combat zone Friday during the Honorary Commanders Air Expeditionary Day.(U.S. Air Force Photo/ by Senior Airman Megan P. Lyon)

More than 20 community leaders received a crash course in the challenges and rigors of deployment life during the Honorary Commanders Air Expeditionary Force Day here July 27.

Hosted by the 726th Air Control base personnel face during deployments Squadron and the wing's public affairs staff, the half-day visit to an the squadron's austere deployment training area offered honorary commanders a greater understanding of the missions Airmen are currently carrying out in Iraq, Afghanistan and numerous other deployed locations.

"AEF Day gave our honorary commanders a chance to see first hand the tents we live in, the food we eat, the missions we're responsible for and the equipment we use to carry them out," said Lt. Col, Alvin Vann, 726th ACS commander. "The warm temperatures, dusty conditions and the simulated attack on our position really provided them a realistic snapshot of what our Airmen face everyday while deployed."

"Today was simply fantastic," commented 366th Maintenance Operations Squadron honorary commander and Glenn's Ferry chamber of commerce president Jimmy Orr. "Between shooting the M-16, seeing the F-15s making passes and eating dust as we toured the tents, I've got to hand it to today's Airmen for what they put up with when they deploy."

Honorary commanders met at the Gunfighter Club and were bussed past operations, the MOAB exercise training area to the 726th ACS training grounds, currently populated with tents, radars and radar vans as the unit prepares its Airmen to deploy once again to Balad Air Base, Iraq, in September.

At the site, honorary commanders received several briefings about 726th ACS missions in Iraq, toured the site and received first hand accounts from veterans of multiple deployments about the reality of life in the combat zone.

The wing's guests were also treated to a simulated insurgent attack on the deployed location's defensive fighting positions. As several attackers charged across an open field with weapons firing, exercise ground bursts and purple smoke added to the fray as defenders quickly donned their protective chemical suits. Shey Titus, a guest of Orr, helped fight off the attack wearing full body armor and chemical suit and mask as his M-16 barrel heated up in the late morning sun.

Friday's AEF day also provided some added excitement for four lucky honorary commanders who were randomly selected to receive an F-15 orientation flight. Honorary commanders John Feenstra, Paula Riggs, Jimmy Orr and Robby Robinson were all smiles as Col. Jack McMullen, 366th Operations Group commander, announced that they would receive a future flight.

AEF day wrapped up with honorary commanders firing blanks from M-16 machine guns prior to sitting down to a hearty meal of unit ground rations, compliments of the 726th ACS services Airmen.

"They eat a lot better than I expected," said Linda Ketterling, 366th Mission Support Squadron honorary commander and TLK Dairies business owner. "I was expecting a meal that might require a lot of water to wash it down, but lunch ended up being delicious."

Designed to increase the understanding of the 366th Fighter Wing and Air Force missions, the honorary commanders program annually pairs 29 community, civic and business leaders with Gunfighter unit commanders and leadership.

Throughout the year, honorary commanders participated in unique, creative events to learn about each aspect of the wing's missions, hosted by each of the four groups.

The AEF Day was the final event before a new crop of honorary commanders will be inducted Sept. 14.