9 RW Airmen proceed through PDF line

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Monika Mendoza, a member of the 9th Operations Support Squadron, keeps track of her dog tags during a pre-deployment function line at Beale Air Force Base, California, June 12, 2023. Airmen with the 9th Reconnaissance Squadron are participating in the week-long exercise DRAGON FANG that will evaluate the base’s ability to adopt the Air Force Force Generation deployment model. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Frederick A. Brown)

9 RW Airmen proceed through PDF line

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing proceed through a pre-deployment function line at Beale Air Force Base, California, June 12, 2023. The Airmen are participating in the week-long exercise DRAGON FANG that will evaluate the base’s ability to adopt the Air Force Force Generation deployment model. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Frederick A. Brown)

9 RW Airmen proceed through PDF line

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing prepared deployment gear for a week-long exercise DRAGON FANG, at Beale Air Force Base, California, June 12, 2023. The deployment gear is securely stored as the Airmen proceed through a pre-deployment function line. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Frederick A. Brown)

9 RW Airmen proceed through PDF line

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 9th Reconnaissance Wing ensure they have their dog tags during a pre-deployment function line at Beale Air Force Base, California, June 12, 2023. The Airmen are participating in the week-long exercise DRAGON FANG that will evaluate the base’s ability to adopt the Air Force Force Generation deployment model. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Frederick A. Brown)

9 RW Airmen proceed through PDF line

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Izabel Poirier, a 9th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management specialist, briefs Airmen during a pre-deployment function line at Beale Air Force Base, California, June 12, 2023. The Airmen are participating in the week-long exercise DRAGON FANG that will evaluate the base’s ability to adopt the Air Force Force Generation deployment model. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Colin Smith)

The 9th Reconnaissance Wing conducts Full-Scale Readiness Exercise

Published June 12, 2023
By Staff Sgt. Frederick A. Brown
9th Reconnaissance Wing

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --

The 9th Reconnaissance Wing kicks off Exercise DRAGON FANG, an Air Force Force Generation (AFFORGEN) centered exercise June 12-16 here.

“The purpose of this exercise is to test and evaluate our ability to survive and operate during combat operations,” said Col. Geoffrey Church, 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander.

The Full-Scale Readiness Exercise will test the wing’s ability to rapidly deploy and perform mission essential tasks while in a mock deployed setting. The 9th RWs Inspector General’s Office (IG) planned the exercise and will evaluate throughout the week as personnel are tested in different scenarios to meet mission objectives.

Exercise DRAGON FANG planners collaborated with the wing commander, unit commanders and the wing inspection team to create scenarios that will test and evaluate how well the Airmen perform their specialties. DRAGON FANG involves 13 9th RW units, the 195th Air National Guard Wing, and the California Army National Guard A Company 3-140th Security and Support Aviation Battalion.

The 9th RW will provide two elements of the AFFORGEN model, Command and Control and Establish the Air Base, to stand up initial operating capability. Exercise DRAGON FANG will prepare members for the AFFORGEN model transition by ‘training like we fight’.

The first day involves preparing the Airmen to deploy. Airmen proceed through a pre-deployment function line that handles administrative needs and informs them of all necessary information.

“The exercise going to be action packed, expect to see players with [chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive] gear and M4 training weapons,” said Master Sgt. Mariamonicagrace Talbott, 9th RW inspection planner. “Unit readiness will be evaluated through performance-based observation of completed mission essential tasks.”

The end goal of this exercise is to prepare the wing to transition to the new deployment model, by testing the wing’s capability to generate, deploy, and project rapid global mobility around the world. Under AFFORGEN, Airmen will train, deploy, and recover as cohesive war-fighting units.