Getting Battle Creek Ready for Battle

The Michigan Air National Guard’s 110th Air Operations Group in Battle Creek is conducting its first major command and control exercise this week. The group stood up in April 2009; it supports 17th Air Force (Air Forces Africa), which is headquartered at Ramstein AB, Germany. The goal of the exercise is to gauge the Air Guardsmen’s ability to maintain command and control of air operations. This exercise marks the first time that they will generate an air tasking order. To assist them, 12 members of 17th AF’s 617th Air Operation Center are in Battle Creek participating. “It’s a learning experience for us all,” said Maj. Kimberly Polson of the 617th AOC. The exercise is scheduled to conclude Friday. In June, the 17th AF leadership visited Battle Creek. (Battle Creek report by TSgt. Alec Lloyd)