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Gen. Mike Minihan, Commander of Air Mobility Command, visits the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station June 8, 2024.

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914th Airmen continue to train for deployment

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrew Caya
  • 914 Airlift Wing
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  Despite proposed draw-downs in deployed forces around the world, Airmen of the 914th Logistics Readiness Squadron have been honing their wartime fighting skills at home and across the country.

During the 914th Airlift Wing September Unit Training Assembly, logistics specialty Airmen trained on convoy operations with the 914th Security Forces squadron.

"Tactical Convoy Operations is a training requirement for Vehicle Operators and is very beneficial for Logistics Readiness Officers," said 914th LRS Commander Capt. Gina Pizziconi-Cupples. "Both functions could be tasked to support convoy operations in a deployed environment."

"We learned basic convoy techniques," said 2nd Lt. Dominic Dorsaneo, Deployment and Distribution Flight commander. In addition to working in vehicles, Dorsaneo said that the Security Forces also instructed the Airmen on how to work outside of the vehicles in small team maneuvers and tactics.

"Security Forces is extraordinarily prepared to lead training of this nature given the emphasis on combat tactics and techniques," said Pizziconi-Cupples.

"I thought it went well," said Dorsaneo. He also said he would like to train with security forces on a more regular basis, something Pizziconi-Cupples said is in the workings.

Prior to this training, LRS was busy in Florida as 25 LRS Airmen traveled to Duke Field, Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field for Air Force Specialty Code training.

"They hosted us and gave us the opportunity to work on installations where there is higher demand for our particular mission," said Pizziconi-Cupples. Nearly all of the AFSCs in the 914th LRS went to train with their counterparts at those bases.

Niagara Airmen had the opportunity to offload a one million-gallon barge, a fuels specialist Airman fueled an F-35 aircraft, and vehicle mechanics were able to work on hundreds and hundreds of vehicles.

"They had to get a little bit more accustomed to the level of demand that would be required in a deployed environment," said Pizziconi-Cupples.

"It was a good experience; I got to do a lot of cool things that I wouldn't have been able to do here," said Airman Michael Scheu, who was able to fuel F-35s during his time at Eglin. "No one from here (Niagara) has ever fueled one," said Scheu. "It's a newer system and all electronic so it's a different process for everyone, but...the training was really good and helpful."

In addition to the enlisted opportunities, the Logistics Readiness Officers were able to exchange information with other LROs at those bases and lead Airmen from their flights when they are not at home station," said Pizziconi-Cupples. "It was good to see the lieutenants leading their people, and learning as well."

The 914th LRS is planning to host Duke Field Airmen in the coming months to continue with training here, such as vehicle operations, planning, and deployment systems testing.

Proposed reduction in deployed forces is still two years away, and the Airmen of the 914 LRS continue to maintain readiness for deployment.