Ardent Forge exercise tests Airmen’s ability to survive, operate Published April 9, 2019 By Tech. Sgt. Paul Cook 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- More than 300 members of the 482nd Fighter Wing conducted a readiness exercise April 4-5. The exercise was held at various locations throughout the base but was primarily at a “tent city” behind the parachute tower. For two days Airmen simulated being in a deployed combat environment, with a variety of simulations used -- everything from explosions and medical emergencies to ground attacks and cyber-attacks to keep them on their toes and ensure they are capable of accomplishing the wing mission. The exercise was considered a success by Homestead Air Reserve Base leadership. “Our Airmen work hard and train even harder,” said Col. David A. Biggs, 482nd Mission Support Group commander. “I am incredibly proud of their efforts to improve their agile combat support warrior capabilities during the ability-to-survive-and-operate exercise held here the past few days.” Military and civilian members from every squadron as well as from the 482nd FW staff agencies took advantage of this annual training opportunity. “My squadron’s Airmen had a fantastic attitude, they got some really great combat training, and they appreciated the opportunity to put some of their skills to use,” said Maj. Javier Rodriguez, 482nd Logistics Readiness Squadron commander. “These Airmen thought the exercise really put the T [training] back in UTA [Unit Training Assembly] and expressed a desire to have this type of exercise more often.”