10-27-2024 8:59am

BEAR Base Airmen conduct Operation TRAILBLAZER at Holloman AFB

Chris Edwards Editor

An MQ-9 Reaper assigned to the 49th Operations Group performs a low fly above a runway with Expeditionary Airfield Lighting Systems setup during Operation TRAILBLAZER at Holloman Air Force Base

On the early morning of Oct. 1, 2024, Airmen from the 635th Materiel Maintenance Squadron, 54th Operations Support Squadron and 49th Civil Engineer Squadron set out to a runway to conduct Operation TRAILBLAZER.

This cross-functional training exercise marks the first time Expeditionary Airfield Lighting Systems-C, or EALS-C, has been set up on an active runway within the continental United States.

It also provides Airmen with essential training in setting up equipment in expeditionary environments. “The legacy–or B model–for EALS stood for Emergency Airfield Lighting Systems,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brianna Gonzales, 635th MMS regional trainer noncommissioned officer in charge.

“The switch to Expeditionary–or C model–aligns with the focus on the AFFORGEN Model and Agile Combat Employment initiatives.

During the simulation, BEAR Electricians provided essential hands-on training to OSS airfield specialists and civil engineers. This ensured they were prepared to operate and maintain the equipment as system experts and mission essential equipment training instructors.

“It’s not very often that we get to work with our civil engineer counterparts over at the 635th MMS,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bryce Ikerd, 49th CES execution support technician. “When we work with them, though, we gain a better understanding and hands-on experience with equipment we don’t have here.”

Along with training Airmen beyond the 635th MMS, Operation TRAILBLAZER's primary mission was to bridge expeditionary knowledge gaps and prepare mission-ready Airmen across the entire Air Force enterprise.

“The U.S. Air Force is aiming to train our Airmen to be faster, stronger, more proficient, and multi-crafted, all with less time and resources,” said Gonzales. “Holloman is fortunate enough to have expeditionary War Reserve Materiel training equipment to permit cross-functional exercises like Operation TRAILBLAZER.

Exercises like this help to better understand the importance of competency, organization, planning, execution, and communication while maximizing proficiency levels and the scope of impact.

Submitted by Senior Airman Nicholas Paczkowski, 49th Wing Public Affairs