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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 participates in Exercise Cold Front

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Andrew Caya
  • 914th Airlift Wing
NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. --  The 914th Airlift Wing participated in a self-assessment of operational requirements here, September 5-7, 2014.

Airmen from the 328th Airlift Squadron, 30th Aerial Port Squadron, 914th Operational Support Squadron, 914th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 914th Maintenance Squadron and the 914th Aeromedical Staging Squadron participated in Exercise Cold Front which implemented the Wing's ability to respond to operational needs and mission execution capabilities.

Under the new Air Force Inspection System each wing is responsible to self-assess and report, to the Wing Commander, their ability to comply with regulatory guidance and policy. Wings must also demonstrate the ability to accomplish the wartime mission, focusing on Four Major Graded Areas:

MGA 1- Managing Resources, MGA-2 Leading People, MGA 3- Improving the Unit, MGA 4- Executing the Mission. Exercise Cold Front is a validation of the 914th Airlift Wing's ability to test Major Graded Area 4-Executing the Mission.

"I think (the exercise) went very well," said Lt. Col. Mark Ables, 914th Airlift Wing Combat Readiness Officer. "Everybody seemed engaged...people were really investing themselves in the activities--people were excited about going out there and doing their jobs."

Master Sgt. Stephen Kaiser, 914 ASTS Aeromedical Technician Wing Inspection Team Member, stated that 914 AW Airmen enjoyed this exercise and demonstrated their aspirations through their work ethic during it.

"Not only does this test our objectives and capabilities, but it is a tremendous morale booster for all," said Kaiser. "We want to do our jobs --this is our mission--our job, our passion."

Ables said that in many exercises, the different units do not get to integrate often. However, during Exercise Cold Front the Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron received patients that the Aeromedical Staging Squadron prepared during a mass casualty exercise. The medical teams had to stand by as the aircraft, that the Operational Support Squadron provided, was unloaded by the Aerial Port to be reconfigured for the patients.

"This exercise was an excellent opportunity to mix all our AFSC's and work together as a team," said Kaiser. "Typically our Unit Type Codes training is more segregated. Our Airmen did an outstanding job. We are growing. Participating in larger and joint exercise only strengthens our abilities."