Wing Winter Exercise

AKWG will be conducting wing-wide Aircrew, Ground Team and ICS ES and Communications training beginning 1900 Friday, 17 Feb ending 1300 Sunday, 19 Feb 23.

For those located in the interior, contact Maj Jim Low, akjimlow@me.com for assignments.    

For those located in the Anchorage area, all aircrew, ground team and mission base personnel should forward their interests (what they are working on) and availability (Friday, Saturday, Saturday AM-only, etc) via email to the undersigned, Mission Staff Assistant C/Maj Michael Porter, 636865@akwg.cap.gov

Other areas (e.g. Kodiak, Juneau, Gateway, Kenai), interested in planning/coordinating virtual (or in-person) participation, please contact the undersigned, Mission Staff Assistant C/Maj Michael Porter, 636865@akwg.cap.gov with training requirements and availability for further coordination.

Here is a list of areas/functions we plan on offering:

- Aircrew (MP, MO, MS)

- Planning and Operations Section Chief

- Air Operations Branch Director

- Ground Team Member (bring your Arctic-capable 24 and 72 hour packs, see attached packing lists for details) 

- Mission Radio Operator

In addition to required Aircrew and Ground Team equipment (24/72 Hour Pack), participants should prepare for extreme cold/wet weather.  This includes, but is not limited to, heavy insulated Gortex boots (DO NOT wear standard black leather uniform boots to this event), balaclava, gaiters, heavy extreme temp mittens/gloves, multi-layered fleece/Gortex shell jacket, hand-warmers, shelter-building supplies (tarps, paracord, etc) and food for 2.5 days.  This is the opportunity to see if your gear and you are really ready to survive and operate in the Alaskan wilderness for extended periods!

1900-2100 Friday, 17 Feb 23   Birchwood Squadron in Chugiak will host classroom training for new Ground Team Members.  Instructors will also be able to assist with accomplishing prerequisite training and task training of other ICS staff positions as needed by members in training required to participate in the SAREX the following day.  Advanced Ground and Aircrew participants will deploy Friday evening to the bivouac area.  Please be clear when you RSVP what training you need to your geographic POCs (C/Maj Porter).   All participants should report to Birchwood Composite Squadron (20100 Birchwood Spur Rd, Chugiak, AK 99567) at 1900 Friday, 17 Feb 23 for mission sign in.  Bring your 24/72 Hour Gear-Arctic and a color copy of the attached topo in a ziploc bag to be prepared for training.  

If this is your first SAREX, you will be training as UDF/GTM and must accomplish at least the GES qualification online PRIOR to 1900 Friday, 17 Feb 23 to participate.  If you do not have "CAPT 116 General ES" course completed online via eServices /Learning Management/AXIS/Emergency Courses, you will not be able to sign into the mission and participate (for liability reasons).  Here is the link to accomplish the training in AXIS:

https://www.capnhq.gov/CAP.LMS.Web/Default.aspx

0800-2100, Saturday, 18 Feb 23:  Mission briefing will be at 0900 (virtually with IC and ICP personnel in Fairbanks and other locations) with two operational periods, 0900-1200 and 1500-1800, Saturday, 18 Feb 23.  

0800-1200, Sunday, 19 Feb 23:  Mission briefing will be at 0900 (virtually with IC and ICP personnel in Fairbanks) with one operational period, 0900-1200 and an AAR at 1230, Sunday, 19 Feb 23. Here is the link:

Aircrew: Lt Col Porter will serve as Operations Section Chief and manage air sorties.  Expect tasking orders to drop Friday night based on the training requirements provided to either Major Low or C/Maj Porter prior to 1900 Friday, 17 Feb 23.

Ground Team:  Lt Col Porter will serve as South Central GBD.  South Central ground operations will be staged out of Birchwood Composite Squadron (South Central ground team participants should print out a copy of the attached topo and place it in a ziploc bag for protection).

South Central aircrew and ground teams will be assigned operational periods Friday evening with a report time to arrive, ready to sign in, brief and deploy, at Birchwood.  Bring your own snacks and meals and be prepared to be outside in the weather for your operational periods.  Be prepared to depart at your assigned end time.  Participants are encouraged to stay overnight in their shelters at the bivouac area.

Operations will cease at 1200 Sunday, 19 Feb 23, and a virtual AAR at 1230 will be conducted.