Emergency response groups around the world are working together to carry out practical operations. > U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center > Article Exhibition

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – Air Force-wide contingency groups recently met at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, to develop mission plans for real-world operations and build stronger partnerships within the contingency response force in the process. did.

In December 2023, Air Mobility Command will deploy 160 Airmen from the 821st Contingency Group (CRG) at Travis Air Force Base and the 621st CRG at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, on an expedited schedule. and integrated with its Ramstein counterpart. 435th CRG. There, the CRG and Regional Joint Force planned and executed contingency operations in multiple locations.

“Each CR unit had a specific mission and location, but that didn’t prevent us from planning together and supporting each other., And we learn from each other,” said Col. Pat Rayner, 435th CRG commander. “We made good use of the time we spent together.”

This unique opportunity for geographically dispersed CRG units to operate together in one location allows commanders and airmen of all ranks to integrate and learn how each group operates. Ta. The real-world purpose of the CRG leadership group was to plan and execute initial operations against multiple airfields in support of U.S. European Command.

“We were assigned to the same operation in conjunction with the Joint Task Force,” said Col. Jeffrey Krulik, 821st CRG commander. “The ability to come together and forward deploy to Ramstein and work together to plan the mission was critical so that when it came time to execute, we were already aligned and ready.”

This example of multi-wing coordination coincided with the CRG Commander’s Summit in Ramstein. Participants included group commanders from the 821st CRG, 435th CRG, 621st CRG, and 123rd CRG from the Kentucky Air National Guard, and the 36th CRG from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam., and the Puerto Rico Air National Guard’s 156th CRG met to discuss current issues impacting CR operations. Topics include current operations, command relationships, risk tolerance levels, and innovation., And modernization.

The 821st CRG at Travis Air Force Base, assigned to Air Mobility Command, prepares for global operations, while the 435th CRG, assigned to U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa Air Forces, primarily serves the European and African Area of ​​Responsibility (AOR). ) is active. If a large-scale operation is anticipated, multiple CRG units may be activated to enhance mission capability.

“We are both CRs, even if under different commands. It was a unique opportunity to work together and understand the similarities and differences,” Krulik said. “Taking advantage of that opportunity, being with them, making connections, all of that is invaluable.”

Emergency response airmen are ready to operate in any AOR and are strategically located around the world to reduce response time should air operations become necessary. The most important mission of a contingency response force is to provide highly specialized airmen who can rapidly deploy to quickly open airfields and establish, expand, sustain, and coordinate aircraft operations. is. Rayner said the future of CR and the partnerships built within the force will continue to be strong.

“Although there are differences between each group,” Reiner said, summing up the importance of the summit, “it’s important to understand that there are differences between groups.” The Rammstein collaboration was proof of concept. ”