DVIDS – News – Rotation 21-4 of the aviation detachment: 435th CRS, Polish special forces open operations on the airfield

Three US Air Force Airmen make final preparations for a 37th C-130J Super Hercules Airlift Squadron from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to drop 16 Polish Special Forces members onto an abandoned runway near from Biala Podlaska, Poland, during the rotation of Aviation Detachment 21-4, September 15, 2021.

This operation is the culmination of precision work to secure a drop zone and a landing zone with Polish Special Forces, executed by a cross-functional and rapidly deployable team of the US Air Force designed to assess and open air bases and perform initial airfield operations allowing rapid set-up of combat operations anywhere.

“We’re going into the light, and when the operation is over, we can get out quickly,” said the tech sergeant. James Supernault, 435th Contingency Response Group air traffic controller. “That’s why our team exists.

Supernault and his team provide operational advice on this skill to members of the Polish Special Forces as they demonstrate their ability to open an airfield, offload resources and prepare for a rapid and safe departure of planes.

“We are still developing the competence of combat controller in the Polish army,” said Lucas, commander of the combat controllers section of the Polish special forces. “This exercise gives us the opportunity to learn and share information.

The 435th CRG team can assess the validity of an airfield anywhere, and work begins long before the team receives their first plane.

“Before we get to a location, we look at the previous images and readings for anything that may present big problems for our aircraft or our staff,” said the technical sergeant. Benjamin Stewart, an aerodrome manager with the 435th Emergency Response Group. “When we get there, we monitor and assess anything that could pose a safety hazard. ”

The team assesses both above and below ground safety.

“As an engineer, I inspect landing zones, testing low area areas and making sure the gradients are within tolerances so that aircraft can conduct their operations safely,” said the staff sergeant. Cody Paynter, engineer from 435th Emergency Response Group. “If the surface is strong enough and there are no obstacles, we can land a plane anywhere.”

As a three-man team, Supernault, Stewart and Paynter shared their knowledge with members of the Polish special forces and managed to secure both the landing zone and the drop zone for this exercise.

“My mission and my responsibility as an air traffic controller is to ensure the safety of arriving and departing aircraft, while accelerating the flow of air traffic,” Supernault said. “In addition, I am responsible for the safety of personnel and equipment that fall and fall in the right place. Every time we come to Poland, the Polish forces increase their capabilities, and I am here on the ground with them to make sure that everything is going well.

Interoperability between US and Polish forces continues to play an important role in preparing for NATO missions.

“This exercise is a chance to build our self-confidence and our extensive knowledge of combat control work,” said Lucas. “We have the opportunity to learn from the best teachers because the United States is the world leader in this kind of work. For us, any contact during a live exercise to improve tactics and conduct runway operations, including the safe landing of an aircraft, is exactly what we are looking for.

Aviation Detachment rotations are bilateral training exercises and deployments designed to enhance partner interoperability, maintain joint readiness and secure our regional allies. These events occur throughout the U.S. European Command area of ​​responsibility, and U.S. planes and airmen have participated in these rotations since 2012.