MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- The 167th Airlift Wing organized an extended drill weekend full of training and events, also known as “super drill,” June 6-9.
A scheduled drill weekend of four days, instead of the typical two days, allowed members to participate in various trainings and morale events.
During a training rodeo, set up by base training, members completed the required Self Aide Buddy Care, Law of Armed Conflict and Chemical Biological Radiological and Explosive training all in one location.
Tech. Sgt. Jennifer Cooper, NCOIC of public health, said the medical group tested out a mass public health assessment questionnaire (PHAQ) process, they referred to as “PHA quick.” “Many guard units are testing out this process and are finding it to be a huge success,” said Cooper. “She added the medical group is aiming to accomplish more than double the amount of assessments during this drill and if it is a success, continue the event quarterly.
James Aselstine, the 167th chief of information protection, utilized the extended drill as a time to tailor security training into two of the three learning objectives, as opposed to clicking through slides.
“I think more people get the information better and with super drill, I can get that out to more folks,” said Aselstine.
Friday morning, approximately 300 members were able to enjoy pancakes prepared by the First Sergeant Council.
“We thought it was a good opportunity for troops to break bread together and take a breather in the middle of all the training that needed to be accomplished during super drill,” said Julie Lozinski, a first sergeant at the 167th. “As first sergeants, we are invested in the health and morale of our Airmen and let’s be honest, pancakes just make people happy.”
The maintenance group offered job specific training as well as confined space, safety harness, vehicle operator, and corrosion control training.
“Our major coverage this super drill was to brief safety, no matter what mission or job the personnel are fulfilling,” said Tech. Sgt. Jessica Hughes, the maintenance training manager at the 167th. “Super drill allows us to utilize the extra time for our traditional guardsmen to be more involved in day to day operations.”
The inspector general office met with the wing inspection team Sunday and accomplish basic inspector training.
Senior Master Sgt. Robert Bowers, the 167th wing inspection team manager said the training briefed the latest inspector general related news over the past three months and to prepare the wing inspection team for what will be coming up in future inspections.
Some 167th members also got together with their co-workers for picnics and morale events such the combat dining-in on Saturday evening and for volleyball and corn hole on Sunday.
Approximately 60 enlisted members and few imposers, who were prior-enlisted officers, participated in the dining-in.
The goal of the event was to boost morale, comradery and have a great time connecting socially with wing members, said Master Sgt. Jennifer Day.
Chief Master Sgt. Troy E. Brawner, 167th wing command chief, remarked, “The combat dining-in was great! In the future I would like to see an all-inclusive wing dining-in with officers and enlisted members.”
Brawner said, enjoying time with wing members during events, such as the combat dining-in, improves comradery and morale. Allowing time for our members to relax together from training helps members build stronger relationships with each other and develop unit cohesiveness.