Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition, May 2019
P. 1
Vol. 12, No. 6
INSIDE
Serving Southern Arizona’s military community, including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base May 2019
master Sgt. meredith mingledorff
Airmen from the 355th Maintenance Squadron load ammunition into an A-10 Thunderbolt II during exercise Bushwhacker 19- 05, April 1 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. The operational readiness exercise tested the 355th Wing’s ability to rapidly wield combat airpower to austere and contested locations, while balancing flexibility, survivability and lethality in preparation to win the high-end fight.
D-M proves lethality during readiness exercise
STORIES
The “Jump,” 3
We’re all healers, 4
Airman donates kidney, 5 Last Doolittle Raider, 6 F-35s deploy to combat, 10 PJs exercise in Parker, 11 FEATURE
Senior Airman Giovanni Sims
eXeRCISe BuSHWHACKeR 29-05
See Page 8
Continue to get Davis-Monthan Air Force Base latest news and information from these sources: http://www.aerotech- news.com/davis-monthanafb and social media
Desert Lightning News
Date of publication
First Friday
of the month Submission deadline 15th day of the month prior to date of publication
Veterans
Tell us Your Story Active-duty, Reserve, Retirees All military branches are included
email name, phone number and a brief description of your service to deborah.leuthold@us.af.mil
by Senior Airman GIOVANNI SIMS
355th Wing Public Affairs
The 355th Wing continues to lead the Air Force in high-end operational readiness as it proved the “Dynamic Wing” construct, during exercise Bushwhacker 19-05.
As the foundation of the fighting force, the squadrons of the 355th Wing are empow- ered to take decisive action as they build out the Dynamic Wing. From security forces to operations to maintenance, each squadron is critical to mission success.
During the operational readiness exer- cise, members of the Desert Lightning Team are prepared to rapidly wield combat power, deploy to austere and contested locations
around the world and use multi-functional Airmen to establish, sustain and defend the base with organic command and control.
“We are honing our high-end readiness where large-scale, dynamic force employ- ment is mission critical,” said Col. Mike Drowley, 355th Wing commander. “As Air- men, we know our role in the joint fight and we approach every problem with a multifunctional mindset that’s focused on mission success.”
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is an op- erational, warfighting base with more than 11,000 Airmen that directly support four combatant commanders around the globe every day. Sustaining the ability to destroy the opposition is no small charge.
“This exercise allows Davis-Monthan to
further sharpen our high-end readiness,” said Lt. Col. Robert Burdette, 355th Wing inspector general. “Our goal is to effort- lessly balance flexibility, survivability and lethality to provide options for combatant commanders.”
With all the training and preparation occurring during this exercise, Davis- Monthan’s Airmen will be well equipped to handle any situation that comes their way.
“Each unit owns a critical component of the grand design,” Drowley said. “As a team, we are prepared to powerfully employ com- bat search and rescue and attack air power.
“We will meet the intent of our Air Force leaders to adapt the way we fight in an ever- changing world.”
For more photos, see Page 8.
