CORAOPOLIS, Pa. —
The 171st Air Refueling Wing hosted 30 Airmen from the 159th Fighter Wing as part of a collaborative coaching effort to perform core competency coaching for Airmen of the Logistics Readiness Squadron from June 6, 2022-June 15, 2022.
The 159th FW, situated in Louisiana, wanted to finish coaching necessities for gadgets that aren’t part of their routine operations, resembling snow readiness and cargo processing. The fighter wing’s F-15C plane don’t carry cargo, and the fighter wing doesn’t expertise a lot snow. However, the Airmen assigned to the 159th are nonetheless required to have hands-on experiences with these duties.
“One of the main reasons for traveling outside of the unit was for compliance,” stated Lt. Col. Trupiano, commander of the Logistics Readiness Squadron on the 159th FW.
“We have tankers here, and they have fighters there, but when we deploy down range, it does not matter what airframe or mission you have at your home station. It’s about being able to do your job in any environment,” stated Capt. Chris Bowser, set up deployment officer on the 171st ARW.
Although every base has very completely different plane, the collaborative efforts between the 2 models has established a singular relationship. This relationship will permit every base to obtain obligatory coaching to remain certified for the myriad of obligations Airmen should be “always ready.”
“We refuel fighters, so having a solid relationship with a fighter wing can help us better prepare our people,” stated Bowser.
“It pushes the mission forward when you are connecting both bases,” stated Truipiano.
Collaborating with different models not solely permits for relationship constructing and coaching, however it additionally encourages an change of shared information, which permits Airmen to validate established processes.
“It’s always good to look through a different lens. AFI’s (Air Force Instruction) can be left to interpretation, so it’s good to see how someone else is accomplishing tasks,” stated Trupiano.
“Across the force, the same systems are used. It’s all about standardization. So, when you have people with shared experiences who can share their knowledge, it’s a win-win,” stated Bowser. “At the end of the day, it allows for us to work better as a collective force in any environment.”
While the principle aim of the connection between the 2 models was coaching, mentorship occurred organically by means of their interactions.
“We’ve been able to collaborate on training, but now it’s extending into the roles of mentorship where you’re talking to someone who walked the same paths that you are about to,” stated Bowser.
“It also contributes to unit cohesion,” stated Trupiano.
Partnerships, just like the one established between the 171st and 159th, enhance interoperability and readiness.
“The ultimate goal is to get the mission done, and we can foster and cultivate that by working with others,” stated Bowser.
