366th FSS performs contingency training operations Published Sept. 8, 2020 By Airman Andrea Rozoto 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- The 366th Force Support Squadron held an annual home station readiness training exercise on Sept. 4, 2020, to practice search and recovery operations as well as building a single-pallet expeditionary kitchen. Not only does the 366th FSS operate many everyday services such as the Dining Facility and the Base gym but what most people don’t know is that they also assist in search and recovery operations. “We do this both here and deployed, so we went ahead and set out fake body parts as well as expired meat donated by the commissary to give a realistic touch to the training,” said Capt. Kristen Miranda, 366th FSS operations officer. During search and recovery training, Airmen are trained to go out and search an area as a team to recover any remains or personal effects of people who may have passed away. The Airmen form a line and step by step they kneel down to search the ground to assure that their areas have no remains. If an Airman has discovered remains in their respective areas they then will remove the remains and mark the area of which they were found, along with documenting the coordinates. Recovering remains and personal effects is an important part of aiding in investigations and bringing closure to the friends and family of the deceased. Another essential training exercise is the pallet expeditionary kitchen, which is a fully operational kitchen tent to be set up by eight FSS Airmen. It is meant to be used during deployments or on bare bases, which are bases that have limited or no facilities until the 366th FSS set up their tents. This tent is designed to be employed within a timely manner. “The idea is that would be able to pick up from Mountain Home and go anywhere and be able to set up and feed up to 550 people within 4-hours,” Miranda said. These training exercises are important in making sure we have multi-functional Airmen that are deployment ready. “It’s our job at home station to ensure the Airmen are as prepared as possible when they deploy overseas,” Miranda said. “Not only did our training provide that foundational knowledge but it allowed our Airmen to gather together and take part in the social aspect of the training with each other. Through team work and effective training the 366th FSS Airmen are prepared to execute their duties downrange or here at home.