133rd Contingency Response Flight Conducts Contingency Response Exercise
August 18, 2021 (ST. CROIX, Virgin Islands) — The saying “train like you fight” is something the Airmen from the 133rd Contingency Response Flight (CRF) live by. Within 36 hours of notification of a simulated hurricane, they were on the ground in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, conducting airbase operations in support of a larger natural disaster response mission.
“We exercise to test our ability to mobilize and support domestic operations and humanitarian aid missions,” said Lt. Col. Jason Christensen. “Three contingency response units from California, Minnesota, and Texas [are working out of] the island of St. Croix. In addition, Kentucky’s [123rd Contingency Response Group] opened up an airfield in Aguadilla to allow passengers and cargo movement.”
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Baylee Munce, 133rd Contingency Response Flight, Minnesota Air National Guard, looks out a window on a C-130 Hercules from the 133rd Airlift Wing, over the skies of Puerto Rico, Aug. 18, 2021. Munce is taking part in a Contingency Response training exercise that focuses on the capabilities of responding to natural disasters and setting up airbase operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Amy M. Lovgren) 
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ross Wehrle, 133rd Contingency Response Flight, Minnesota Air National Guard, prepares to weigh a pallet in St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Aug. 18, 2021. Wehrle is taking part in a Contingency Response training exercise that focuses on the capabilities of responding to natural disasters and setting up airbase operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Amy M. Lovgren) 
U.S. Airmen from the 123rd Contingency Response Group, Kentucky Air National Guard, loads cargo onto a C-130 Hercules from the 133rd Airlift Wing, in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, Aug. 18, 2021. The Airmen is taking part in a Contingency Response training exercise that focuses on the capabilities of responding to natural disasters and setting up airbase operations. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Amy M. Lovgren)
Exercises designed like this one have an underlying theme: partnership. By bringing multiple contingency response force organizations together to train and share best practices, the CRF community is better prepared to respond to the next real-world mission.
“We are a small community and have communicated with each other, but rarely meet,” said Master Sgt Kevin Hedlund. “This exercise allows us to meet each other in person and strengthen our relationships.”
Hedlund continues, “For most of the [133rd] CRF members, this was their first opportunity to view what the contingency response mission is about. We had the opportunity to learn to rely on each other’s strengths to accomplish tasks in a chaotic environment.”
The organizational structure of a contingency response team is different from traditional units. They are made up of Airmen from multiple career fields: air transportation, loadmasters, command post, radio frequency transmissions, airfield management, personnel, aerospace ground equipment, and weather. Together, the team is capable to achieve the mission as a stand-alone entity. After being assigned to the contingency response team, Airmen complete a three-week Field Craft Contingency Response course where they learn base defense strategies
While this exercise was shortened due to real-world circumstances, it was still a success. New members received critical experience while others refreshed on tasks to ensure qualifications remain current.
“The CRF team did extremely well,” said Christensen. “…We are capable of doing more than what we are designed to do.”
Story and photographs by Tech. Sgt. Amy Lovgren, 133rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
