Airmen weary from "war" battle blizzard

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amanda Callahan
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing public affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Recently, members of Grand Forks Air Force Base packed their bags and began processing for "war." In a mock deployment, Airmen set off to battle in a conventional and chemical combat environment. The pseudo scenarios were designed as training for the Warriors of the North in preparation for an upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection in October.

"I had the opportunity to visit with numerous members of this wing, both inside the 'play' zone and those holding down the office, during the exercise," said Col. John Michel, 319th Air Refueling Wing commander. "What I saw first-hand were team players keeping this wing running, exercising our duty to this country and showing why we are the best Air Force in the entire world -- all while bracing against mother nature and the blizzard she unexpectedly sent our way."

The bare-base environment took over a hangar on base, with tents, sandbags and Meals Ready To Eat a common sight for the "deployed" Warriors of the North. As attacks were imminent, Airmen donned mission-oriented protective posture gear and prepared for the incoming "rockets," which were merely controlled explosives. The real obstacle was the impending blizzard quickly approaching the Frozen Chosen's "deployed" location.

"For the first time coming together and working as a team, they were pretty successful," added Master Sgt. Pat Holtzmann, superintendent of wing inspections. "Mother nature's fury was our biggest hurdle!"

After the "attacks" calmed down and "snipers" were slain, the Frozen Chosen redeployed from the simulated battlefield into six to eight inches of fresh snow and blowing winds, knowing that they've defeated the first enemy in their preparation, indifference.

"Don't forget that this is only an early step towards our goal of successfully completing the ORI," added Colonel Michel. "But with the level of teamwork and the great attitudes I see displayed across this wing daily, I have no doubt we will 'Bring It' in October."