563rd RQG, other government agencies practice saving lives at Exercise Resolute Angel

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Heather Cabral
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  In preparation for the upcoming hurricane season, Davis-Monthan AFB's 563rd Rescue Group participated alongside other government agencies in a search-and-recovery exercise here May 29 to June 4.

Dubbed "Resolute Angel," the training tested the 563rd RQG's ability to respond to civilian natural disasters and mass-casualty scenarios while operating proficiently and safely from Laughlin AFB.

"This exercise was about preparing us to partner with multiple government agencies to provide support to the nation in its time of need," said Lt. Col. Joe Pace, 79th Rescue Squadron commander. "We absolutely feel prepped and ready to execute actual rescue missions during the 2009 hurricane season."

The exercise required members of Laughlin and the 563rd RQG to work hand-in-hand with members of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Texas Task Force, National Park Service, and Val Verde Regional Medical Center to practice saving mock hurricane survivors from land and water.

The exercise scenarios were configured to include all of the involved agencies, while maintaining as much realism as possible.

Survivors, complete with simulated injuries from broken bones to head lacerations, were scattered somewhere within the 850-mile shoreline of Lake Amistad, which is about 30 miles away from the base.

Two HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and an HC-130P Hercules dropped nine pararescue Airmen into the lake to make contact with the survivors, hoisted them into the helicopter and transported them to a safe location - all while simulating any necessary medical attention.

"This training was huge," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Morford, an aerial gunner for the 55th RQS. "It allows all of the real-world assets to be used, displays the capabilities the RQG can provide to the first on-scene organization and educates them on how to use us best."

Those capabilities were enhanced by the Rescue Operations Center, a command-and-control hub that was forward-deployed away from D-M for the first time. After receiving the initial request for assistance, the ROC was fully operational within 37 hours. That functionality was a big reason why exercise participants came away impressed with the overall efficiency of the rescue efforts.

"The exercise was a success in capturing lessons learned," said Capt. Ted Harmer of the 563rd Operations Support Squadron. "So, when we are responding to real world disasters, we will be prepared to set up the ROC efficiently and effectively."

The teamwork of the various agencies involved allowed all 45 survivors to be rescued in a timely manner. That success gave Colonel Pace confidence going forward. He said, if a tragedy like Hurricane Katrina were to threaten America again, "we are ready."