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CBRNE Training

Ohio Air National Guard Capt. Jordan Hickey, left, and Senior Master Sgt. David Franzen, 178th Force Support Squadron, don their gas masks during training June 6, 2016, at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena Michigan. Hickey and Franzen were participating in Mission Oriented Protective Posture training for the unit’s annual summer training.

Material Hendling Equipment training

Ohio Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Brittany Schirtzinger, 178th Logistics Readiness Squadron, operates a forklift June 7, 2016, at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena Michigan. Schirtzinger operated the forklift as part of a material handling equipment refresher class during the 178th wing annual training. (Ohio Air National Guard Photo by Master Sgt. Seth Skidmore)

Self Aid Buddy Care Training

Ohio Air National Guard Senior Airman Katie Wade, 178th Medical Group, teaches a class on airway management during Self-Aid Buddy Care June 6, 2016, at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena Michigan. Wade taught the SABC course as part of an annual training rodeo for the 178th Force Support Squadron during the 178th Wing annual training. (Ohio Air National Guard Photo by Master Sgt. Seth Skidmore)

Weapon familiarization course

Ohio Air National Guard Airman Master Sgt. Wes Haines, 178th Communications Squadron, left, and Airman First Class Allex Kautz, 178th Logistics Readiness squadron take apart M-4 carbines during a weapons familiarization training June 6, 2016, at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, Alpena Michigan. Haines and Kautz took the weapon familiarization class as part of Wing training during the unit’s annual summer training. (Ohio Air National Guard Photo by Master Sgt. Seth Skidmore)

Guard unit heads north for annual training

Published July 1, 2016
By Master Sgt. Seth Skidmore
178th Wing Public Affairs

ALPENA, Mich. -- The 178th Wing headed north to Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center this June to complete a week-long deployment for their annual summer training.

The unit came to the center to complete wing-wide general classroom and hands-on training, and specific training for the individual units.

The classroom training consisted of required classes, such as diversity training and informative classes, including wing history and traditional member retirement training.

Some of the hands-on training included weapon familiarization, which is not common for the average Airman but could become necessary in their career.

The class was taught by Capt. Michael Gibson, 178th Security Forces Director of Operations.

"At any point in their career they could be tasked as security force augmentee or for installation defense," Gibson explained. "So it is good to have a basic familiarization."

The squadron level training consisted of more specialized training. The logistics readiness squadron held refresher and initial training for material handling equipment. Airman trained on operating a forklift through an obstacle course while carrying simulated material.

The communications flight trained by setting up a broadband global area network by using field receiver and equipment. They installed a phone line and internet connections using the receiver.

The Force Support squadron conducted a rodeo for annual required training, from self-aid buddy care to mission orientated protective posture gear training.

The deployment also included opportunities for team building, morale welfare and recreation, and community involvement.

The Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Group and the Operations Group/Wing staff participated in their own version of the Amazing Race. Small groups had to perform team tasks in a certain time limit to compete for prizes.

Members reached out to the local community through a dinner sponsored by the chamber of commerce and several Airman also went out in the local community to help with Habitat for Humanity and Humane Society projects.

Overall, the training deployment provided the wing with valuable training and team building.

"It's about building relationships and coworkers," said Col. John Knable, 178th Wing Commander