Warren exercises deployment Published Oct. 25, 2006 By Senior Airman Lauren Hasinger and Capt Nicole Walters 90th Space Wing Public Affairs F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- Warren leadership held an exercise Wednesday through Friday here that provided reassuring results. The exercise was designed to test the base's ability to deploy a large group of Airmen to a fictional base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. One hundred and twelve Airmen joined 50 civil engineer troops in a field on base dubbed "Base X, Iraq." "Our job is to support the combatant commander by providing base operational support," said Lt. Col. Mark Piccolo, Base X commander. The Airmen spent their first day setting up the base, building it from the ground up. They constructed tents, installed heaters and obtained potable water. "We have approximately 150 troops of various disciplines that are establishing a base of operations and will be ready to receive additional forces, and we expand the camp if the combatant commander would deem it to be necessary," explained Colonel Piccolo. Preparation for an exercise of this magnitude far exceeds the duration of the exercise. "It takes weeks for us to prepare for an exercise of this magnitude," stated Lt. Col. Jeffrey Jenkins, 90th Space Wing Plans and Programs chief. "This exercise is to prepare the base for an upcoming expeditionary readiness inspection while preparing our troops for deployment to the AOR." Colonel Jenkins stated the most rewarding part of the exercise is when someone tells him the exercise prepared them properly for an actual deployment. The Airmen were on hand Wednesday morning at 2:30 a.m. to get into "battle rattle." Once they had their flak vest, web belt and other essential items on, they attended a variety of deployment briefings, including an intelligence briefing, an Office of Special Investigations briefing and a briefing by the Base X commander outlining his expectations. "This was a good experience," said Airman Samuel Shim, 90th Comptroller Squadron. "It's an honor to be a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom--even if it is an exercise." "The Airmen should all be proud of their part. Their preparedness has enabled us to have a flawless deployment in support of the war on terror," said Colonel Piccolo.