MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. — Maj. Gen. Randall A. Ogden, Fourth Air Force commander, visited Naval Air Station North Island to meet with the participants of the Patriot Hook exercise, April 14.
Patriot Hook is an annual joint-service exercise coordinated by Air Force Reserve Command, designed to integrate the military and first responders of 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 AFRC members 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.
On North Island and at each of the four Southern California locations, airmen arrived at a bare-base section of flight line. Within hours, crews assembled the facilities to provide command and control of aircrew management, aircraft flight following, maintenance of aircraft, 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,” Ogden said. “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 from U.S. Army Reserve 314th Military Intelligence Battalion, U.S. Naval Special Warfare Group 1, Naval Air Station North Island, both out of San Diego, FBI Rapid Deployment Team, Los Angeles, and Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Support Function 13, Public Safety and Security.