366th CONS and CPTS partner for training exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Caitlin Guinazu
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Members from the 366th Contracting Squadron partner with Airmen from the 366th Comptroller Squadron during a training exercise, here March 17- 21.

The training was developed in order to provide an initial exposure to Airmen, helping them to understand what is expected of them during exercises and deployments.

"The purpose of this training is to ensure every member of our squadron gains the exposure and knowledge they will be faced with while participating in the wings exercise," said Staff Sgt. Brandon Davis, 366th CONS contingency support flight NCO-in charge. "But more importantly, this will prepare the Airmen for a deployment."

In addition to completing all essential operational skills, participants practiced all aspects of the Ability to Survive and Operate rodeo, to include Self Aid Buddy Care, alarm conditions and chemical attack scenarios.

"This training gives us a look into how things work downrange," said Airman 1st Class Ryan Potter, 366th Comptroller Squadron financial analyst. "Working close with contracting gives us a better experience and understanding of what we will be faced with while deployed."

The exercise provided a valuable opportunity for Airmen to understand the unique duty requirements present downrange.

"Readiness is the key aspect of this training; it prepares our Airmen for deployments by giving the initial exposure and knowledge," said Davis.

Airmen learned to manage the unfamiliar pressures in a deployed location, during this training.

"This training ensures that even the newest of Airmen are ready and have the experience under their belt," said 2nd Lt. Tabitha Gomez, 366 CONS officer-in-charge. "It gives us real life scenarios helping us to manage the constant stress that comes along with a deployment."

Even with all the challenges existing during the Wing Inspection, the big picture of why it's an essential part of their Air Force duties is not lost to the contracting and finance teams.

"It doesn't matter if contracting is good at what they do or if finance is great, if they're not intergrading and working together they're really going to be ineffective," said Lt. Col. Brett Kayes, 366th Contracting Squadron commander. "This exercise allows for us to work together and learn each other's strengths and weaknesses. This is what ensures we are able to deploy and be effective.