Joint training promotes interoperability

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Abby Finkel
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  U.S. Marines deployed from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, recently participated in joint training exercises with the 56th and 57th Rescue Squadrons, June 13-16, at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England.

The training consisted of medical and operational exercises to strengthen interoperability.

"We're trying to integrate with the Marines to build similar operating plans," said Master Sgt. Christopher Franken, 56th RQS independent duty medical technician. "That way, if something happens in the future, we can work together."

The Marines are attached to the Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa, a unit stationed out of Morón Air Base, Spain.

After initial hands-on training at RAF Lakenheath, the Marines and pararescuemen went to the nearby Stanford Training Area, where they completed simulated operations evacuating injured service members and caring for combat-sustained injuries.

"The plan is to get these guys, the PJs and the Marines to work closely together and to come up with a history of proof, that we can work together,” said Staff Sgt. Ryan Onley, 57th RQS pararescueman. “That was the intent of this whole week."

The joint training aligns with Department of Defense initiatives to promote interoperability between the services to enhance warfighting capabilities.