California National Guard conducts nine-day combat readiness, CBRN inspection
The California Air National Guard’s 163rd Attack Wing conducted a nine-day combat readiness inspection to test and validate their ability to perform in contingency and CBRN-contested environments.
The exercise took place at March Air Reserve Base near Riverside, California, through 20 March.
"Exercise Grizzly Talon is a crucial tool for assessing the Wing’s ability to execute mission-essential tasks through performance-based observations conducted by an inspector general team," wrote senior master Sgt. Julianne Sitterding of the California National Guard.
During the exercise, inspectors evaluated mission execution, compliance, safety and operational capabilities during a 24-hour power and computer network outage, jammed radios, flu-like symptoms and loss of critical infrastructure.
"In addition to performing mission-essential tasks, the Wing is expected to implement new techniques to safeguard against emerging technologies such as small unmanned aircraft systems," wrote Sitterding.
Airmen operated in record heat in March, which compounded the physical demands of mission execution, however they nevertheless "successfully carried out their duties in a simulated CBRN threat environment".
Comprehensive feedback post-inspection will help mitigate blind spots and improve their ability to operate in austere or degraded environments globally.
