Page 2 - Davis Monthan Desert Lightning News 6-5-15

2 June 5, 2015 Desert Lightning News

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Exercise Angel Thunder 2015

(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz)

U.S. Army 1st Lt. Erik Poser, Task Force Tatanka CH-47D Chinook pilot, reads an Sectional Aeronautical Chart while Capt. Drew Rowland, Task Force Tatanka CH-47D Chinook
pilot commands a CH-47D while flying over southern Arizona during Exercise Angel Thunder, June 2. Angel Thunder is the largest personnel recovery exercise in the world com-
bining joint, coalition and interagency personnel. Participants will train through the full spectrum of personnel recovery capabilities with numerous types of aircraft.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Angela Ruiz) (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Betty R. Chevalier)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Westly Vincent, Task Force Tatanka, CH-47D Chinook flight engi- U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Adam Morrison, Expeditionary Operations Training Group
neer, conducts airspace surveillance on the back of a CH-47D while flying over south- instructor, demonstrates how to anchor a rappel rope using the natural environ-
ern Arizona during Exercise Angel Thunder June 2. Angel Thunder is hosted by the ment to fellow Marines during Exercise Angel Thunder 2015 high angle rescue train-
355th Fighter Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, but many flying operation will ing at Mount Lemmon, Ariz., June 1. During the training, U.S. Marines and U.S. Air-
extend throughout Arizona, New Mexico and California. men practiced tying knots, anchoring ropes, rappelling down a cliffside unassisted,
and returning to the initial elevation point. Exercise Angel Thunder is an Air Combat
Command-sponsored personnel recovery exercise for combat air force, joint, allied
and interagency participants. The Marines are assigned to Force Company, 1st Recon-
naissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, Calif.