726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Zachary Brisley, 726th Air Control Squadron power production apprentice, positions himself in an unsupported kneeling firing position during an exercise Sept. 18, 2013, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Airmen worked 24-hour operations, broken into shifts, to mentally and physically prepare for real life scenarios that occur while deployed. Despite assigned shifts, Airmen remained in the exercise even when sleeping, forcing them to react as if they were really deployed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany A. Chase/Released)

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726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

A U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Thomas Furness, 726th Air Control Squadron radio frequency transmissions systems apprentice, jots-down notes about the results of a scenario during an exercise Sept. 18, 2013, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. After the scenarios were played out by 726th ACS Airmen, they gathered together to reflect on what went right and how they could improve if needed. Furness was assigned to assist in the command post helping provide information to leadership enabling better communion and helping successfully carry out mock scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany A. Chase/Released)

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726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 726th Air Control Squadron provide self-aid and buddy care to Airman 1st Class Alexander Abbot, 726th ACS theater deployable communications apprentice, Sept. 18, 2013, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. To prepare for deployments, 726th ACS Airmen participate in an expeditionary combat skills training exercise help them prepare for combat. During the exercise scenario, Abbot pretended to be shot in the leg, forcing Airmen to react quickly and provide proper SABC techniques while maintaining security for the mobile operating air base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany A. Chase/Released)

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726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 726th Air Control Squadron shouts to direct a simulated foreigner during an exercise Sept. 18, 2013, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. To prepare for deployments, 726th ACS Airmen must go through expeditionary combat skills training to equip them with the tools to successfully carry out their mission. Knowing how to properly, and legally, detain a foreigner is crucial to base security and to prevent enemy forces from infiltrating their position. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany A. Chase/Released)

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726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ian Callahan, 726th Air Control Squadron radio frequency transmissions systems apprentice, clears his weapon with the supervision of Airman 1st Class Joshua Sparks, 726th ACS vehicle equipment maintenance specialist, Sept. 17, 2013, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Before Airmen could participate in the expeditionary combat skills training exercise, they had to make sure safety precautions were taken by clearing individual weapons. Once cleared, Airmen attached blank firing adapters, which are required for blank ammunition to function properly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany A. Chase/Released)

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726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

A U.S. Air Force Airman from the 726th Air Control Squadron loads a clip with blank ammunition before an exercise Sept. 17, 2013, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Airmen were given two 30-round clips to load with blank ammunition. The ammunition was used during the expeditionary combat skills training exercise as a safe way to create a more realistic training environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany A. Chase/Released)

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726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 726th Air Control Squadron ride in vehicles during a convoy to the mobile operating air base Sept. 17, 2013, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Convoy practice trains Airmen to be aware of their surroundings when safely moving from point to point. During the convoys, teams encounter many scenarios such as a vehicle born improvised explosive device. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany A. Chase/Released)

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726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 726th Air Control Squadron observe their surroundings in a defensive fighting position Sept. 18, 2013, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Multiple DFPs were set-up around the mobile operating air base to ensure safety of all personnel on the MOAB. When enemy personnel try to infiltrate the MOAB, Airmen take the appropriate actions to protect the base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany A. Chase/Released)

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726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Courtney McFerrin, 726th Air Control Squadron command control battle management operations apprentice, looks through binoculars in a defensive fighting position Sept. 18, 2013, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Vigilance is a key component when providing base security. Airmen from the 726th ACS were given multiple scenarios to test their abilities in safe-guarding wingmen along with Air Force assets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany A. Chase/Released)

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726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 726th Air Control Squadron stand watch during an exercise Sept. 19, 2013, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Shortly after, a simulated rocket hit the mobile operating air base and Airmen were forced to find shelter and make sure all were accounted for. Exercise evaluation team members were constantly giving Airmen challenges keeping them on their toes. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany A. Chase/Released)

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726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 726th Air Control Squadron gather at the mobile operating air base command post Sept. 17, 2013, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Airmen from the 726th ACS discussed how an exercise scenario played out during an after-action review. Understanding what was done incorrectly enables them to fix those problems, promoting success in future exercise scenarios or future deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Brittany A. Chase/Released)

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726th ACS prepares combat-ready Airmen

Published Sept. 24, 2013
By Airman 1st Class Brittany A. Chase
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The 726th Air Control Squadron held an expeditionary combat skills training exercise Sept. 16-19, at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.

The exercise was held to culminate a two-week training class testing the Airmen's ability to defend a location and respond appropriately to varying scenarios which helps to enhance technical knowledge and skills.

"Everybody gets the same training," said Master Sgt. Wayne Nicodemus, 726th ACS NCO in charge of security forces. "[We're] getting them thinking about defending themselves, not just their normal jobs."

The exercise was considered a success by Nicodemus and the rest of the exercise evaluation team, developing combat-ready Airmen ready to deploy at any time.

726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen

726th ACS prepares combat ready Airmen