Maj. Gen. Ogden observes multiple-agency exercise, Patriot Hook

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Heather Cozad
  • 452 AMW Public Affairs
March Air Reserve Base, Calif. --  
U.S. Air Force Reserve 4th Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Randall A. Ogden, visited Naval Air Station North Island, California, to meet with Patriot Hook participants, April 14. Patriot Hook is an annual, joint-service exercise coordinated by Air Force Reserve Command.
 
The exercise is designed to integrate the military and first responders from federal, state and local agencies by providing training to mobilize quickly and deploy in military aircraft in the event of a regional emergency or natural disaster.
 
While visiting the operations area, Ogden met with Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, March Air Reserve Base, California; 433rd Contingency Response Flight, Joint Base San Antonio; and the 821st Contingency Response Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, California.
 
At NAS North Island, and at each of the four, Southern California locations participating, Airmen arrived at a bare-base section of flightline. Within hours, crews assembled the facilities to provide command and control of aircrew management, aircraft flight-following, aircraft maintenance, and the loading and unloading of aircraft. Scenarios during the exercise included airbase defense, aeromedical evacuation, and chemical warfare response.
 
Participation of affiliate agencies and joint service members provided the opportunity to learn each team’s capabilities and practice communication and coordination to build the relationships necessary for effective emergency relief.
 
“Seeing the whole government approach impressed me,” said Ogden. “When we respond to a natural disaster or whatever the emergency is, we bring everyone together. The more we exercise together the better we will be ready at a moment’s notice.”
 
During his visit, Ogden met with members of the U.S. Army Reserve’s 314th Military Intelligence Battalion; the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Group 1, NAS North Island (both based in San Diego); the FBI Rapid Deployment Team, Los Angeles; and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Support Function 13, Public Safety and Security.