LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --
The 34th Combat Training Squadron, the U.S. Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force worked together during Green Flag Little Rock 18-04 Feb. 8-17, 2018, emphasizing strengthening international and joint service relationships.
Two Canadian C-130J’s flew from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, in support of U.S. Army operations at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana.
The units performed free-fall jumps from aircraft and practiced drills and training, focusing on collaborating forces and integrating with several different career fields. While GFLR provides essential tactical-level training, the experience of working with international partners is also vital in a deployed environment.
“We have just over 800 soldiers on jump status, so our ability to jump preferably once a month is key to maintaining our skills,” said Maj. Gen. Gary Brito, Fort Polk Joint Readiness Training Center commanding general. “Luckily we get support from the Air Force all the time, and having the ability to work with our Canadian counterparts is a joy and a privilege that we want to take advantage of.”
All participants in the exercise received realistic and tactical-level training to better support both local and global mobility operations. Each exercise was tailored to the individual unit's requirements while providing certain major command specific designated training.
“We refer to this training as our proving ground,” said Capt. Jeff Lafontaine, Royal Canadian Air Force 436th Transport Squadron aircraft commander. “Training like this prepares us for deployment overseas. The relationships and joint training between the Canadians and the Americans is important because we work with each other while deployed.”
The exercise goal is fostering communications before potential deployments, streamlining training and sharing knowledge to bolster readiness during an actual contingency.
“This is a truly combined operation,” said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Peavy, 34th CTS survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist. “We have Air Force, Army, and Canadian Forces. It’s a pretty awesome experience.”
No two exercises are the same, which helps the mobility enterprise continually challenge their readiness and warfighting skills, while providing unique real-world experiences with joint and international partners.
“It’s a great opportunity to do a joint operation and coalition with our Canadian partners,” Brito said. “It’s key to the Department of Defense to ensure the Army is able to operate with our joint partners in the U.S. services and our coalition partners that we train and fight with.”