Ops, maintenance groups participate in IGI exercise Published Jan. 18, 2018 By Senior Airman Malcolm Mayfield 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The 48th Fighter Wing Inspector General Inspectors conducted an Ability to Survive and Operate exercise here Jan. 16 to 17.The two-day exercise was aligned with Air Force efforts to reinvigorate ATSO and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training, focusing on preparedness and operating in contested environments. IGI and Wing Inspection Team members provided numerous scenarios to challenge Airmen.“We as an Air Force must be able to adapt to continuous and rapidly emerging threats,” said Tech. Sgt. Gary Davis, 48th FW IGI member. “This means getting out of our comfort zone and challenging ourselves in order to better prepare for possible challenges presented by our adversaries.”The training involved donning protective gear and reacting to simulated threats, applying self-aid and buddy care, sheltering-in-place and clearing areas of unexploded ordnance. WIT members were on site to help train and evaluate during the scenarios. “Instructors were asked to come out and do evaluations because we teach the techniques that they are supposed to be using,” said a WIT member. “[We] want to make sure [Airmen] are properly utilizing the procedures that we’re teaching.”The exercise also allowed the wing to identify strengths and weaknesses for future training and operational decisions.“We understand that the outcome won’t be perfect and that’s ok,” Davis said. “This is our opportunity to challenge ourselves while identifying the areas we need to work on. Ultimately we are here to make the wing and the Air Force better.”Base exercises help ensure Airmen are trained and ready to operate across the spectrum of domains.