By Airman 1st Class Jacob Hall, 159th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Louisiana Air National Guard 159th Fighter Wing Airmen attended annual training at the Air Dominance/Combat Readiness Training Center in Savannah, Ga., June 2-8. 
The CRTC provides fully operational and realistic training facilities to enable visiting units to enhance deployment readiness. Airmen participated in various trainings that included Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, Combat Arms Training and Maintenance, Resilience Training and Expeditionary Active Shooter Training. The wing also competed against the 142 FW, 144 FW and 173 FW in a F-15 Eagle loading competition. This competition placed teams in high-pressure scenarios that mirrored real-world conditions, enhancing their ability to load aircrafts with speed and precision to ensure mission-ready jets are prepared for flight.
Maj. Gen. Thomas Friloux, the adjutant general of Louisiana, and Command Sgt. Maj. Clifford Ockman, the command senior enlisted leader of the LANG, commended the Airmen for their dedication to service and commitment to training alongside each other to maintain mission readiness and strengthen joint force capabilities.
Col. David Anderson, commander of the 159 FW, emphasized the critical importance of aligning daily training with the wing’s overarching goal of mission readiness. He underscored that the unit must be prepared to mobilize as part of the emergency response force, highlighting the need for continuous vigilance, discipline and seamless coordination across all units. Anderson also stressed that Airmen must work closely together, building trust and strong bonds to ensure effective teamwork. He reinforced that readiness is more than a metric, it is a mindset and a steadfast commitment to operational excellence at all times. 
“Combat readiness was the main focus, and our personal preparation sets the foundation for our ability to mobilize,” said Anderson. “Most of the training events were accomplished in group and team settings that enable Airmen to employ them together. That experience builds the cohesive teams that make this fighter wing successful.”
As part of annual training, Airmen from across the wing are participating in a large-scale readiness exercise designed to push their limits and test their ability to operate under challenging and unfamiliar conditions. Maj. Darryl James, the project officer for this year’s annual training, shared insight into the purpose behind this year’s training and its importance to overall mission readiness
“This year’s annual training is focused on a robust readiness exercise designed to challenge our ability to operate in unfamiliar environments,” said James. “By relying on adaptability, ingenuity and teamwork, our Airmen will strengthen the skills and relationships essential to executing the mission anytime, anywhere.”
“When Airmen from different career fields and squadrons across the wing come together for mission-focused training like this, they build trust and demonstrate the teamwork critical to success in real-world operations whether supporting disaster responses at home or deploying abroad,” James said. “These shared experiences strengthen relationships, sharpen skills and enhance the combat readiness needed to respond whenever and wherever we’re called.”
This year’s training not only sharpened technical skills but also strengthened unit cohesion. Working alongside other Airmen in simulated training environments improves trust, communication and reinforces the team’s ability to operate efficiently under pressure. These experiences directly contribute to mission readiness by preparing Airmen to respond quickly and efficiently alongside a unified and dependable team.
“Being here with the team has made me learn how to do my job, setting up antennas and communications more effectively in a simulated environment. We set up our networks in less than 72 hours,” said Airman 1st Class Jonathan Mendoza, 236th Combat Communications Squadron radio frequency transmissions journeyman. “I didn’t really know many people in the 236 CBCS until I arrived at annual training; creating connections has definitely built my relationship and trust with my team.”
The 159 FW remains committed to rigorous training to maintain peak operational readiness and execute rapid, decisive responses to any mission, situation or challenge anywhere, any time.
