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Rain or Shine: 'Operation Victory' hails success

  • Published
  • By Lori Flynn
  • Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  With rain gear and dog tags displaying their name and unit, 30 honorary commanders prepared to mobilize during Operation Victory March 26, 2015 here.

Shuffling into a make-shift briefing room, the honorary commanders anxiously awaited to receive the installation commander's warning order on their day's mission.

Operation Victory was a simulated mission demonstrating military capabilities to community leaders. It is part of a continuing educational series showcasing service members' support for Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst missions and preparations for global operations. The honorary commander program encourages an exchange of ideas and experiences between key civilian leaders of the surrounding communities and JB MDL leaders.

Back in the briefing room, all eyes faced forward as the commander began his address.

"Our joint training and operating environment focuses on mobility, training, and innovation," said Col. James C. Hodges, JB MDL commander. "You went through boot camp and now you are taking those skills to apply them."

This event consisted of a mobility folder review and bag drag, life-saving training skills, mobilization and deployment to a forward operating base.

"The deployment process is vital for the community to understand, and by showcasing our abilities it allows us to help the community understand the extent of our processes," said 2nd Lt. Jayson T. Sexton, 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron deployment and distribution flight deputy commander. 

Step by step, the honorary commanders walked the deployment line, inching their way through the warehouse to view the supplies provided to service members. They experienced first-hand the weight of bullet-proof vests and the awkwardness of putting on a gas mask, followed by a weapons demonstration.

"The up-close look armed me with knowledge so that I can better explain to all I come across in my other activities about the articulate process of a deployment and the preparing of our troops as they deploy to take part in whatever missions they are assigned," said Regina Arcuri, 87th Mission Support Group honorary commander and resident of Mercer County.

The sky darkened as the honorary commanders moved out for the next location, the Medical Simulation Training Center. The clouds loomed heavy as honorary commanders walked past the injured and maimed training dummies lining the parking lot wedged under vehicles.

The honorary commanders fell silent approaching the MSTC validation room. The sights and sounds of ordnance exploding, heavy smoke and life-like injured victims set the scene. The mannequins can breathe, move their eyes, and exhibit vital signs with visible signs of distress to help train more than 2,500 personnel every year.

"I can see how this helps the medics save lives while in the field," said Dr. Thomas Plut, 87th Medical Group honorary commander and resident of Burlington County. "This type of training is very valuable because it allows the provider hands-on experience and on-the-job training with an opportunity for constructive criticism and feedback from the instructor."

"The MSTC's goal is to better prepare service members of all branches for the application of medical interventions under combat conditions," agreed Amy Olivares, MSTC site manager.

The honorary commanders rotated to their next location, stopping at the Halvorsen Hall Dining Facility for lunch and an opportunity to connect with their military counterparts.

Soon after, it was time to mobilize and move to the tarmac. A KC-10 Extender aircrew awaited the honorary commanders' arrival and quickly scurried them onto the aircraft before the clouds broke loose.

Once inside, the aircrew provided an in-depth look into America's capability to conduct strategic airlift and air-refueling missions worldwide with a tour of the cockpit, an explanation of how the loadmaster secures and transports cargo and a unique view with the boom operator. 

"It is just amazing the amount of logistics that go into keeping the fleet in the air and in serving the country," said George Sowa, 174th Infantry Brigade honorary commander and resident of Burlington County. "It is fascinating in terms of the amount of people, and the coordination and logistics involved."

After a bit of imagination and simulation, the KC-10 arrived at the honorary commanders' area of responsibility "overseas," known as Contingency Operating Location Victory. The mock deployment location is part of the Dix ranges and mimics a foreign land; not the back yard of the New Jersey Pine Barrens.

The honorary commanders had several mission objectives to complete while in the simulated downrange environment. One of the objectives included a lesson on how to maintain physical control of their weapon when an enemy attempts to obtain control.

"We wanted our honorary commanders to be familiar with some of the training First Army provides," said Army Maj. Antonia T. Greene-Edwards, 174th Infantry Brigade public affairs officer.  "The Modern Army Combative Program training is not only an essential part of individual soldier readiness, but can be a great team-building and confidence-building event for our mission partners and community to get involved."

The next objective was to respond to a hazardous material crisis scenario. The honorary commanders donned the full-frame protective face hood and bright yellow protective gear for the timed operation led by experts from the Coast Guard's Atlantic Strike Team.

An alert black Labrador retriever awaited them next. Not only a Sailor's best friend, the dog is his partner for detecting drugs and explosives as part of a joint military working dog environment with Navy and Air Force dog handlers. The Sailors and their K9 partners also showcased a military working dog in action.

"We set up a detection problem inside the tent, which showed the honorary commanders the way we search an area with our dog and how the dog picks up the odor and finds the explosive device we had planted," said Petty Officer 1st Class Robert P. Calabro, 87th  Security Forces Squadron, Navy kennel master and trainer.

The honorary commanders completed their final objective by entering the living quarters at COL Victory--a tent.  The tent included bunk beds, a locker and some makeshift wooden floors. Army and Air Force personnel candidly shared personal experiences of living in a deployed environment, spoke of unit missions and answered a variety of questions from the honorary commanders.    

"It was made very clear through demonstrations and visuals during Operation Victory that our men and women of the armed forces are well trained and prepared," said Arcuri. "Operation Victory afforded me and other honorary commanders a first-hand look at all the details that go into preparedness for deployment for the wonderful men and women that serve our country."

"Where do they go to next?" asked Navy Capt. Christopher J. Fletcher, JB MDL deputy commander, after closing remarks and the honorary commanders' certificate presentation.

As with any deployment or simulated operation, rain or shine, the answer is always, "home."