381ECSS tests its limits in Night Hawk ex

LACW Melissa Dunstan and her dog Kali are winched into a search and rescue helicopter to simulate the tactical insertion of a “man-dog” team into position during Exercise Night Hawk 05.

Photo by LAC Caine Tomkinson

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Exercise Night Hawk tested No. 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron’s many roles and functions in establishing deployed airfield services during a period of crisis.

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EXERCISE Night Hawk 05 has demonstrated that No. 381 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron is ready to go anywhere, anytime.

The aim of the annual exercise, which was conducted at Fort Wallace Stockton from March 14-22, was to test the squadron’s many roles and functions in establishing deployed airfield services during a period of crisis and validate its overall preparedness and preparation of skills and equipment.

“Exercise control stretched our resources and capabilities to the limit,” Squadron CO Wing Commander Scott Winchester said.

“They hit us with a motor vehicle accident, an aero-medical evacuation [using real-time SAR helo support], building fire, airfield intruders, an improvised explosive device and a visit by a local high-ranking government official.

They put our capabilities to the test and there is no doubt everyone who participated achieved significant training benefits.”

He said all objectives were achieved.

Under the Exercise Night Hawk scenario, 381ECSS was deployed to a small island neighbour following an emergency to establish airfield support services and an Evacuee Handling Centre (EHC).

“Our first task was to secure the airfield and establish the support services.

These included airfield engineering, health services, communications, fire fighting, security police, military working dogs, explosive ordnance demolition, catering, logistics, administration and a headquarters.

Once this was done and force protection measures put in place, the EHC was set up to process the evacuees and their subsequent removal to the nearest major airport or Australian Air Force base.”

Several squadron personnel were seconded to role-play evacuees.

The exercise occurred shortly before the squadron’s capabilities were tested for real in Indonesia.

“Our recent support to Operation Sumatra Assist II confirmed our ability to respond to short notice tasking. We deployed three personnel and equipment with six hours’ notice, while an additional 15-person team and three aircraft pallets of equipment were ready for deployment within 24 hours.”

WGCDR Winchester acknowledged the support provided to the exercise by No. 1 Combat Communications Squadron and No 2 Air Transportable Health Squadron.

 

 

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