Team Osan Receives Follow-on Forces, Cargo for Exercise Beverly Bulldog 15-01

05 December 2014

From Staff

Typically, the 731st Air Mobility Squadron, operating out of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, is responsible for the safe passage of thousands of passengers entering and exiting the ROK. However, the squadron has a dual mission that contributes to maintaining stability on the Korean peninsula during wartime. In addition to ensuring safe passage for travelers, the 731st AMS also stands ready to accept follow-on cargo and forces during emergencies.

During operational readiness exercise Beverly Bulldog 15-1, the 731st tested this capability with a real-world reception and beddown of essential equipment and vital personnel in between bunkering and securing themselves from simulated ground and air attacks with MOPP gear.

Most exercises are designed to test a unit's ability to respond to a specific situation. ORE's simulate emergencies, disasters or chaotic events to the most realistic extent possible, but there are always limitations. Because of these limitations, the 731st AMS had never gone so far in their scenarios as to actually integrate new personnel from outside the Korean theater onto base, until now. BB 15-1 is a large exercise, including participation from Osan and Kunsan AB in Korea, as well as units outside of the ROK.

The efforts to complete the reception spanned multiple days and nights. After receiving follow-on forces, Airmen from the 731st AMS also in-processed the people through the local passenger terminal before they sent them for beddown and integrated them into Team Osan.

The prompt and successful recovery and employment of cargo and follow-on forces is one of the main tests for Team Osan during BB 15-1. The other ORE goals include: effective coordination amongst participating units, ensuring the prompt reception and execution of orders, generating combat capability within specific time constraints and maximizing command and control over base operations.