Reserve Airmen participate in JBSA Anti Hijacking exercise

  • Published
  • By Maj. Tim Wade
  • 433rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs Office
Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas --  The 433rd Airlift Wing participated in a Joint Base San Antonio led anti-hijacking exercise here on Dec. 3 which included local civilian and other federal authorities.

The scenario centered on a C-5A Galaxy aircraft and aircrew being hijacked by a disgruntled military member after returning from a mission according to Senior Master Sgt. Robert Kusterer, 433rd AW Inspector General Inspection and Readiness office.

"The exercise was based on a disgruntled service member who thought his only course of action to get matters impacting the Air Force addressed was to hijack an airplane," said Kusterer.

The training proved to be a vital refresher to all military and civilian leadership.

"It is important to conduct this type of exercise to ensure leadership's command and control processes are still effective," said Kusterer, who was one of two 433rd AW inspectors.

"It was done also to identify any short comings which may occur between our civil and military partners. We are confident we have the ability to thwart this type of situation."

The civil agencies involved included the Federal Bureau of Investigations, San Antonio Police and Fire Departments, and other Joint Base San Antonio support agencies such as the medical, fire and security forces units. It was a great effort to coordinate a time which worked for all entities.

"We had to coordinate with many agencies and get schedules to coincide," said Kusterer. "We actually had to reschedule twice because of schedule conflicts.  There is a lot of energy that go into something like this. "

The inclusion of the outside partners was greatly appreciated by wing leadership.

"The level of realism provided by the civilian and other federal agencies participating ensured our Aircrew members received the highest level of proficiency and readiness," said Col. William Whittenberger, Jr., 433rd AW commander.

"The superb training prepares our Airmen to be combat ready for today and tomorrow's obstacles. The 433rd Airlift Wing's level of readiness has been repeatedly demonstrated by our participation in worldwide military engagements."