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560th RED HORSE deploys to North Field, puts readiness to the test

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steve Wells
  • 560th RED HORSE Squadron
CHARLESTON, S.C. --  The 560th RED HORSE Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., deployed 128 Airmen Sept. 10-13 to North Auxiliary Air Field, S.C.

The deployment was part of an annual field training exercise required by the 560 RHS to fulfill training requirements.

This year, the 560 RHS took the exercise to another level and treated it the same as an Air Force Operational Readiness Inspection. The exercise was planned with combat and training scenarios built in to the exercise. They were evaluated, and measured, on their ability to perform in wartime, during a contingency, and through force sustainment missions.

"I was pleased that we were able to focus our young airman's minds to consider situations outside the wire," said Col. Daniel Leveille, 560th RED HORSE Squadron commander.

With support from the 315th Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, and the South Carolina State Guard, realistic training events were played out. The exercise included goat herders with live goats walking though camp, realistic fire fights with explosions and suicide bombers, and interaction with what would be local Pashtun tribesmen.

"The authenticity of the security scenarios really made it seem real, and made us think of how we would react if we really were in that situation while deployed", said Master Sgt. Tim Pugh, an electrical deployment specialist with the 560 RHS.

The exercise also brought members of the 315th Force Support Squadron, 567th RED HORSE Squadron from Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., and the 307th RED HORSE Squadron from Barksdale AFB, La.

Ultimately, about 173 personnel took part in the exercise. They were all issued full battle gear and a M4 carbine riffle.

The RED HORSE mission is to provide the Air Force with a highly mobile civil engineering response force to support contingency and special operations worldwide.

"There are certain training events that can only be performed in the field, and our larger function is to create a base camp in the theater of operations," said Col. Leveille. "This weekend we proved that we have built a Horse!"

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