Royal Endeavor 08

Members from the 919th Communications Squadron train with the 352nd Special Operations Group Communications Flight in RAF Mildenhall, England during exercise Royal Endeavor. The exercise, July 11-24, allowed reservists from the 919th CS to train on new equipment, build relationships and test their wartime readiness mission alongside active duty components. (U.S. Air Force Photo\Technical Sergeant Jonathan Eusebio)

Royal Endeavor 08

Members from the 919th Communications Squadron gather for a group photo at RAF Mildenhall, England during exercise Royal Endeavor. The exercise, July 11-24, allowed reservists from the 919th CS to train on new equipment, build relationships and test their wartime readiness mission alongside active duty components. (U.S. Air Force Photo\Technical Sergeant Jonathan Eusebio)

A Royal Endeavor

Published Oct. 27, 2008
By Senior Airman Jonathan McCallum
919 SOW/PA

DUKE FIELD, Fla. -- Reservists from the 919th Communications Squadron are no strangers when it comes to a changing mission. In July the squadron deployed to RAF Mildenhall, England, where they trained on new equipment and built relationships between active duty and reserve components.

"Exercise scenarios began during the set up, " said Tech Sgt. Michelle Copenhaver, Maintenance Operations Center, NCOIC. "There was no safe place."

The squadron participated in the exercise, Royal Endeavor 08, alongside the 352nd Special Operations Group's Communications Flight, RAF Mildenhall England, from July 11 - 24. The first week of the deployment was spent training on equipment specifics and operations. During the next week, the 34 member team put the training to use in a field training exercise while communicating with Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.

The members of the squadron became immersed in the exercise immediately in the second week. Reservists had to complete tasks while overcoming problems and obstacles at the same time.

Senior Airman Douglas Lambert, radio maintenance journeyman, led a three man team as part of a scenario to set up communications at a simulated forward operating base. They were required to set up voice, data, satellite communications and tents in 30 minutes.

The team successfully completed the task in just 19 minutes, attributing their quick time to training they received in the first week.

"The training by the 352nd SOG was the best you could get, and it paid off" said Senior Airman Lambert.

Master Sgt. David Streed gave another reason for the success, "People stepped up and took on any new challenge."

"The tour proved to be a complete success in terms of training and morale," said Lieutenant Colonel Brian Lowmiller, 919 CS commander.

Lt. Col. Lowmiller was visited by the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, Lieutenant General Donald C. Wurster, during the tour. General Wurster was able to observe the squadron in action during the exercise scenarios.

"We did very well," said Lt. Col. Lowmiller. "General Wurster was pleased with the squadron's performance."