Tuesday, January 9, 2018

South Mississippi hosts joint training

CH-47 being loaded in C-5M Super Galaxy.
Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Ryan Labadens
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. – Personnel from the 41st Aerial Port Squadron of Savannah, Ga., and other units from the Air Force, Army and Navy teamed up for a joint training exercise last week at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi and the Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) in Gulfport. The primary goal of GRIP III Breaking Barriers was to give reservists and military members an opportunity to train with aircraft, personnel, and equipment that they don’t regularly encounter in everyday training. The 1108th Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group at the CRTC provided UH-60 helicopters to ferry personnel between Keesler and the CRTC, simulating transportation between forward operating bases. The Navy Special Boat Team 22 from Stennis Space Center, Miss., provided a riverine command boat, rigid inflatable boats and trailers to allow personnel to practice loading and off-loading. Personnel during the exercise performed joint inspections of several vehicles, including a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, light mobile tactical vehicles, Humvees, and mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles. (Source: 403rd Wing, 01/09/18)