Operations training
Washington Wing Operations Training
Initial Emergency Services Qualification
Initial Emergency Services qualification can be achieved by either attending a Formal School or by attending a Group or a Team Field Training Exercise (FTX).
Formal Schools
Formal Schools include classes conducted at ESTA, the Mission Pilot School, the Mission Observer School, and the Mission Staff Training Course. As more instructors are trained, schools that are now being conducted at the Wing Level will be standardized by Wing but conducted at the Group level.
Field Training Exercise (FTX)
Groups and Teams are encouraged to hold as many FTXs as necessary in order to conduct Emergency Services Initial Qualification training for personnel and for teams. Funding is available for FTXs. Contact Operations for information on obtaining a funded or a non-funded mission number for a Group or Team FTX.
Advanced Emergency Services Training
Wing and Group Exercises
Wing and Group Exercises will be held regularly with the primary emphasis on training already qualified emergency services personnel (mission staff, communicators, aircrews, ground teams) to act as a Group or a Wing team while dealing with realistic scenarios and, when possible, training side-by-side with the outside agencies and customers that we will work with on actual missions.
Rapid Response Exercises
Rapid Response Exercises will be short notice exercises that have been pre-arraigned with the team coordinator and will exercise the Wing Alert System, Communicators, and selected Group Rapid Response Teams.
Exercise definitions
Training and Exercise Definitions – Updated 22 February, 2005
Wing Exercise
The primary purpose of the Wing exercise is to increase the readiness and ability of the Wing to prosecute major operations and contingencies. All Group Air Teams, Ground Teams, Disaster Response Teams, Mission Staff Teams, and communications assets will normally be a activated during Wing exercises. Wing exercises include Air Force monitored and evaluated exercises.
Group Exercise
The primary purpose of the Group Exercise is to increase the readiness and ability of a Group to prosecute a variety of missions as a self sufficient unit. Group exercises are held to exercise the alert system, exercise communications networks, test the feasibility of new ideas, test equipment, develop and test command post and facilities layouts, verify logistics support capabilities, and develop and update Group plans and procedures. Group exercises will also provide advanced continuation training for fully qualified aircrews, ground teams, and mission staff teams. Group exercises will be conducted using realistic scenarios. Scenario elements may include ELT search, aircraft search, missing person search, aerial photography with Internet transmission, counter-terror, NORTHAF Air Defense profiles, disaster response, and priority transport missions. Day and night operations will be conducted. The primary objective of the group exercise is NOT initial aircrew and ground team member training. Teams from other Groups may participate on a limited basis under the command and control of the Group exercise Incident Commander.
Field Training Exercise
The primary purpose of the Field Training Exercise is to train and certify new aircrew members, ground team members, and mission staff personnel. Training and certification will be accomplished in accordance with applicable regulations. These exercises will normally be requested by and conducted by the Group or a Team and will usually be a small scale exercise that is tailored to the training needs of the student or students.
Rapid Response Exercise
The primary purpose of the Rapid Response Exercise is to exercise the Alert System and rapid response procedures. Rapid response exercises may support local, state, or federal agency exercises or requests.
Formal School
The Formal School is the desired method for initial qualification of aircrew members, ground team members, mission staff personnel, and communicators. Initial training and advanced training courses are included in this category.
Communications Exercise
The purpose of the Communications Exercise will be to increase the capability of the Wing Alert System and communications networks.