“Exercises like Combat Raider serve many purposes,” said Maj. The exercise was broken down into five main objectives: counter-air, strategic strikes, strike coordination and reconnaissance, close air support and personnel recovery. 15-17, 2016, in the PRTC, testing several agencies cohesion and coordination. The latest iteration, Combat Raider 17-01, was hosted Nov.
Just over a full year after the airspace opened, these exercises have nearly quadrupled in size. 15, as 37 aircraft filled the skies over Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota – marking the start of the fourth large force exercise in the Powder River Training Complex at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D. The exercise began the night before at 6 p.m. Fortunately for him, this is just an exercise. Scott Richards, a B-1 pilot assigned to the 34th Bomb Squadron, it is a reality. Personnel recovery is a pilot’s nightmare, but for Capt. A young pilot dangles dangerously far from the grassy South Dakota tundra, held on by nothing more than a strap, a cable and a medic from the South Dakota National Guard.Īs the Soldier and Airmen are hoisted up toward the HH-60 Pave Hawk medical helicopter, fake blood runs down the captain’s face.
