What does it take to make an exercise a success?

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Ronald Lafosse
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  Team McConnell members are subjected to a wide variety of exercises; sometimes these exercises are on top of one another or back to back without a moment to breath. Teamwork, leadership, flexibility and professionalism are just some of the keys to making an exercise successful.

"During the multi lateral 02-09, at least nine squadrons directly contributed to the exercise's success. The key to making a successful multi lateral exercise is teamwork," said Maj. Lawrence Schutz, a multi lateral detachment commander. "It takes various service agencies and numerous commands from the Joint Force coming together to form a cohesive team to accomplish the exercise's objectives."

Another important factor in making an exercise successful and accomplishing the mission is leadership, like Major Schutz, providing guidance when and where it's needed. Leadership is the glue that holds all the organizations together.

Strong leadership is important to all missions; but leaders still need to be flexible to changes, problems or more efficient ways to completing the mission.

"Flexibility is key to an exercise," said Capt. Eric Schroeder, 22nd Operations Group deputy chief. "Joint exercises are very dynamic and have very demanding objectives. Months of planning go into these exercises and even the best laid plans will change for one reason or another."

Captain Schroeder continued "The key to a successful exercise is not just getting the KC-135s in the air, or accomplishing our training events, but getting all of these things done and helping the other players accomplish their objectives."

"Things will change and the mission will flex, but we all need to work together to complete the overall mission by being consummate professionals in our own specialty," the captain said.

"Ultimately, exercises are training and practice for operational missions," said Major Schutz. "We must be in the habit of working together so that we can fight together as a cohesive team, whether it's at the wing, command, or service level."

But why do we constantly practice, pushing through exercise after exercise? Maj. Schutz was ready with the answer. "We all signed up to serve our country, and we work until the job is done. We must sometimes sacrifice of ourselves to ensure mission accomplishment. Serving the American people is our reward along with seeing a successful mission through to completion."