433rd AW prepare to Fly, Fight and Win

  • Published
  • By Capt. Philip Cortez
  • 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND --  Deploying can be a challenging process for Airman and the leadership of the 433rd Logistics Readiness Squadron. April 6, LRS put forth the challenge to their members by conducting a mobility line exercise here at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

Maj. Pete Springirth, 433rd interim unit commander, understands the importance of having a strong mobility section.

"In order to make a difference in the world, we have to be able to flex our mobility muscles," stated Springirth. "These types of mobility exercises will be a permanent part of the training requirements of 433rd Airlift Wing members."

The 433rd LRS has a goal of having mobility exercises every April to ensure that airmen from the 433rd AW are always ready to go support the mission at hand. The mobility exercise is a time-intensive event that requires other units to step up to ensure a successful exercise. This exercise ultimately tested all unit deployment managers throughout the Wing.

Capt. Erica Fuller, 433rd Force Support Squadron, Operations Officer, was also on hand to help coordinate the exercise.

"This exercise is important, so when it is time for a real-world scenario, everyone is ready to go," Fuller said. "Right now this exercise is going smooth and right on time."

Fuller talked about the importance of conducting these types of deployment exercises on a consistent basis to ensure full world-wide deployment readiness. The participants in the mobility exercise included volunteers from various units in the 433rd AW. Tech. Sgt. Jenny Sanchez from the 433rd's command post was on hand as well.

"With all the different situations going on in the world right now, members of the military have to be ready," Sanchez said, as she made her way through the various stations. Sanchez had been deployed to Baghdad in 2005, but did not have an experience like the exercise she participated in today, when she prepared to leave for deployment.

"When I deployed in 2005, we did it individually and that made it harder on me," Sanchez stated. "Going through as a big group makes it easier and helps build morale."

The success of the mobility exercise is dependent on other groups within the wing to provide support and manpower while the members are being processed. Representatives from the military personnel office, chaplain's office, family readiness, and military pay were on hand to create a "real world" environment.

"We can't be combat ready, if we can't even walk out the door," Springirth stated.