D-M to again host world's largest personnel recovery exercise

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  • By 010410
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Media are invited to attend Air Combat Command's annual personnel recovery and combat search and rescue exercise, Angel Thunder 2010, scheduled to take place here April 12 through 23.

The exercise will be headquartered at D-M, but will conduct various operations at other areas in Southern Arizona and New Mexico. The first two days will involve in-processing and planning sessions, with heavy flying operations beginning April 14.

Personnel recovery is an Air Force service core function. Angel Thunder is designed to simulate a comprehensive government response to isolated citizens. It echoes the warrior ethos, "I will never leave a fallen comrade," and is the closest people can get to experiencing a holistic personnel recovery response without being in an actual rescue situation.

Angel Thunder began in 2006 as a local endeavor, and its success resonated throughout the PR and CSAR community. Shortly afterward, ACC decided to take over the event and expand its training objectives. Angel Thunder remains the world's largest personnel recovery exercise, integrating sister services and numerous state, national, multinational and interagency assets focused on the rescue mission and saving lives.

Personnel recovery capabilities represented include those from the Army, National Reconnaissance Office, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, Justice Department, Joint Forces Command, Southern Command, Special Operations Command and other federal agencies. Multinational participants include Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Ground recovery teams will include members of the Air Force's Guardian Angel & Special Tactic teams, Army Special Forces and federal special agents. Participating military aircraft include the HH-60G, AC-130, C-130E, AH-64D, UH-1N, C-17, KC-135, HC-130P, EC-130H, E-3, E-8, A-10 and the German Tornado ECR.

Media opportunities will be plentiful; expect more specific details to be released in the next two weeks. To express initial/tentative interest in attending Angel Thunder 2010, please call the 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at 228-3406.