JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Training is an essential part of life in the armed services, recognized by both enlisted personnel and civilians alike. From basic training to deployments, mission readiness takes place in various capacities. At Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, training is set to take on a new and different approach.
The 87th Air Base Wing conducted a base-wide exercise known as Operation Honey Badger (OHB) at JB MDL, April 7-11, 2025. Unlike the previous iteration of this training exercise, which was simulated to take place during deployments, this year’s OHB brought the fight to the home front.
“Usually when people fight in place, it’s a deployment site,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Steven Millerd, 87th Civil Engineer Group senior enlisted leader. “That was one of the big things that folks had to learn. We are not deployed, we are here. This is it; we’re at a home unit and we’ve got to be able to generate, employ and sustain the base with what we have in a contested home station environment.”
Millerd and his team of subject matter experts from each 87th ABW squadron spent months strategically planning multiple scenarios that simulated potential on-base attacks. These scenarios empowered Airmen of all ranks to not only adapt quickly to rapidly changing complex environments, but also, eliminate potential threats with little to no provision.
Executing multiple and simultaneous on-base attacks introduced a new element to the exercise. While training is designed to reduce variables that may hinder mission readiness, an important variable often overlooked is the dangers of the mundane.
“It was meant to be kind of a wake-up call,” Millerd said. “When you’re forced to problem solve without all luxuries that you are used to you’ve got to get creative.”
Unbeknownst to many, creativity is a vital skill for Airmen in fast-paced environments and is a key part of problem-solving and survival skills. With frequent practice, these skills not only make an Airman lethal as an individual, but also as a teammate.
During the exercise, seven different squadrons came together to act as one cohesive team and respond to every crisis with swiftness and accuracy.
“Being able to work together with our counterparts allows for a smoother and efficient process to ensure the safety of our population on this installation,” said Tech. Sgt. Lauriele McDermott, 87th Security Forces Squadron flight sergeant. “It just works a lot faster when we know what the other player on the team can do. We’ve got to know what every person brings to the table and where we fall in place.”
87th ABW put combat airpower to the test by utilizing Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems operations allowing the service members to gain crucial experience in drone operations as well as opportunities to effectively respond to enemy drones.
Mission readiness thrives on a lethal team and the lethality of a team starts with the strength of its members. Frequent training exercises and simulations allows the joint force to be fully equipped to respond to any potential threat, any place, at any time.
“We practice how we play,” McDermott said. “We treat all things as if it’s real-world until it’s deemed not real-world. Even when it’s exercised, we still bring our game face.”
Mission readiness is what protects and maintains peace. Exercises mean Airmen are working tirelessly to modernize and enhance their ability to respond to emerging threats in a technologically evolving world.