Ramstein participates in MAFEX’09

Two of Ramstein’s newest C-130J Super Hercules aircraft transited the Atlantic back to the United States to participate in the Weapons Instructor School’s Mobility Air Forces Exercise 2009B.

Ninety-one USAF aircraft from across the globe assembled at Nellis Air Force Base to take part in this coordinated air battle with the objective of securing airspace while successfully delivering an entire Army Brigade into a simulated combat zone. The Ramstein contingent was commanded by Capt. Justin Brumley – a weapons instructor from the 37th Airlift Squadron whose expertise with the employment of the C-130 fostered mission effectiveness throughout the exercise.

“MAFEX is an opportunity for our pilots to see the numerous levels of coordination available from our sister aircraft throughout the Air Force,” said Captain Brumley. “In honing our skills as pilots we can better assist our users – in this case the United States Army – in doing their jobs.”

In the dawning hours of Nov. 17, a single Ramstein C-130J lifted off the ground at Little Rock Air Force Base as the opening gambit in MAFEX. Captain Brumley was tasked as the first mobility aircraft to ingress the Nellis Test Range via low-level to airdrop Army paratroopers securing a strategic location therein enabling exercise continuation. With mission success, 33 mobility aircraft ranging from the legacy C-130E/H to the C-17 Globemaster were able to continue their missions in delivering the remainder of the Army Brigade.

Ramstein’s second C-130J, piloted by Capt. Jason Childs, was part of a four-ship formation that assembled over northern Texas to airdrop the brigade’s equipment within the Nellis Test Range. After leaving the dropzone, Captain Childs led a formation of two aircraft to a gravel landing zone for tactical airland operations. With A-10 fighter escort on his wing and an unmanned aerial vehicle high above providing surveillance of the landing zone, Captain Childs completed his mission and departed the range bound for Nellis Air Force Base.

“The C-130J is ideally suited for austere operations like these,” Captain Childs said. “By retaining currency and practicing these large-scale operations the 37th Airlift Squadron retains its ability to provide immediate response to any situation out there.”

The Mobility Forces Exercise 2009B successfully saw the insertion of an Army Brigade while honing the airdrop skills of the aircrews. With this first employment of USAFE’s newest C-130J’s complete, the 37th Airlift Squadron continues to galvanize its capability while bringing the lessons learned back to optimally serve in Europe, Africa, and Asia.