An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

701st AEW hits the ground running

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kristian Carter
  • 92nd ARW Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Members of Team Fairchild simulated a deployment to an austere forward operating base Nov. 13 as part of an Ability to Survive and Operate exercise at Camp Airey on base.
Deployed as the 701st Air Expeditionary Wing, Team Fairchild's mission in Exercise Thunderbolt is to provide aerial refueling, airlift and aeromedical evacuation mission support for a warfighting command.

More than 300 Airmen stood-up the wing to complete the mission while fulfilling the 701st AEW commander, Col. Roger Watkins', top three priorities: mission accomplishment, safety and welfare of troops and maintaining solid operational security measures.

Mission accomplishment will require individuals to focus on their responsibilities to make the mission happen.

"I expect our Airmen to stay ahead of the ball and perform to the best of their abilities to ensure our wing's objectives are met," said Colonel Watkins.

Taking care of the people is a key ingredient to accomplishing the wing's assignment.

"The safety and welfare of troops is paramount to successful completion of any mission," the colonel said.

Additionally, operational security involves ensuring information about force capabilities and plans do not get into the wrong hands. An inadvertent release of information could have a debilitating outcome.

"Without good OPSEC, our mission and the security of our people could be compromised, with devastating results. This reinforces the need to maintain positive control of information," said Colonel Watkins.

As Airmen started arriving at Camp Airey, the wing showed a smooth transition from working in diverse organizations at Fairchild to an integrated, expeditionary unit.

"Team Fairchild's warriors have maintained a can-do attitude despite adverse weather and austere conditions," said Colonel Watkins. "Everyone must come together to execute our wartime mission and ensure this operation is a success."

The deploying Airmen represent a cross section of Air Force jobs such as, aircrews, maintenance, security forces, communications, medical, transportation, wing historian, and many others.

Multiple base support agencies to include, legal assistance, finance, chaplain, Services, personnel and Public Affairs are available to help Airmen handle their personal and professional needs and maintain morale.

"In addition to maintaining national security, operations like this reinforce what the terrorists already know," said Colonel Watkins. "The United States military is the premier armed force in the world and will not rest as long as threats to our way of life exist."