JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 723rd Combat Air Base Squadron (CABS) recently returned from a temporary duty assignment at the Silver Flag Exercise Site, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., where they practiced the essential expeditionary skills required to sustain and protect forward operating bases.
The squadron, formerly designated as the 23rd CABS, travelled to Florida alongside members of the 23rd Air Task Force. The training aligns with JB MDL’s third line of effort, “Strengthen the Joint Warfighter Culture”, by conducting training and exercises across multiple disciplines. It marks another milestone in the Air Force’s new “units of action” concept, which organizes Airmen into mission-focused teams that train, deploy and fight together from start to finish.
The 23rd CABS draws its personnel from multiple Air Force installations, including Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C., Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
“The 723rd CABS is down here at Tyndall using the [801st RED HORSE Squadron Silver Flag Exercise Site] to conduct mission-ready training,” said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Carloz Ochoa, 723rd CABS senior enlisted leader. “This allows us to organically plan and execute exercises where the entire Air Task Force is able to work together, plan together and execute missions together.”
At the Silver Flag Exercise Site, Airmen rotated through multiple “round robin” training stations, led by Airmen in their respective career fields, each focused on a different aspect of expeditionary sustainment. Over the course of the week, they learned to generate their own power and water, erect and dismantle shelters, maintain and operate airfield arresting systems as well as conduct quick-turn runway repairs. The training culminated in a two-day field exercise that tested those skills in a contested environment.
“Round robin training gives every Airman exposure to multiple sustainment tasks, not just the ones they perform back home,” said Ochoa. “We had vehicle maintainers working on generators, transportation Airmen setting up tent air conditioning and defenders practicing airfield damage repair. The idea is that everyone gains confidence in new skills and will be prepared to step in when needed.”
For Tech. Sgt. Jesse Wilson, 723rd CABS structures noncommissioned officer in charge, the training highlighted the importance of multi-capable Airmen.
“My role during the round robin training was to ensure that Airmen got proficient instruction on the small shelter system tents,” Wilson said. “All Airmen are supposed to have a wartime skill set, and this is part of it. Teaching them how to properly erect, maintain and take down shelters ensures they won’t have to depend on one specialty when deployed.”
Wilson added that this approach frees up specialists to focus on more complex engineering priorities, such as runway repair, while other Airmen can handle basic tasks.
“The best part of having a cohesive unit is that you can depend on anybody,” said Wilson. “It’s the most unique team environment I’ve seen in 17 years of service.”
For Airmen, Silver Flag was an opportunity to challenge themselves in scenarios that mirror real-world deployments. Senior Airman Francine Childs, 723rd CABS vehicle maintenance journeyman, said the experience gave her confidence beyond her specialty.
“This week I learned how to assemble and disassemble tents, operate the aircraft arresting system and run heavy machinery to repair the airfield,” Childs said. “When we deploy, I’ll be able to step in and help other career fields complete the mission.”
The training environment offered opportunities to build team resilience, Childs said.
“What’s kept morale high is our leadership team and the camaraderie we’ve built,” said Childs. “Being thrown into stressful situations together and still completing the mission shows the strength of this unit.”
The 723rd CABS teamwork was tested during the field exercise, which included simulated drone attacks, chemical threats and logistical setbacks such as broken equipment and supply shortages. The scenarios forced Airmen to quickly adapt, sustain the base and continue operations under pressure.
“Some of the positives I saw during the exercise, were maximum effort and a desire to prove their new capabilities,” Ochoa said. “Airmen came together from different career fields and different bases to work harmoniously as one team. That was something I was very proud to see.”
The Silver Flag mission also marked the unit’s final major training event in the Prepare phase of the Air Force Force Generation cycle. The next step is to move into Certify phase before entering the Deployment phase.
“Over the last six months, we’ve cultivated a culture of teamwork,” Ochoa said. “After training with the team, I am more than confident that we are ready to go anywhere, anytime. All the nation has to do is say those three little magical words: release the hounds.”