HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – More than 30 military members assigned to the 66th Air Base Group participated in Mission Ready Airman Training here April 29 to strengthen readiness and expand mission capability.
Hosted by the 66th Logistics Readiness Squadron, the quarterly hands-on training event brought Airmen together for a structured session focused on deployment operations and cross-functional support.
“This effort is about more than just augmentee training,” said Isaiah Childs, installation deployment officer. “We’re building a force where every Airman has a baseline understanding of how deployments operate, so if we need to move quickly, they’re ready to step in and contribute immediately.”
The training was designed to prepare Airmen for real-world contingencies by increasing their familiarity with deployment processes and responsibilities outside their primary career fields.
The session began with introductory briefs outlining the Mission Ready Airman concept, followed by three rotating breakout stations covering Cargo Deployment Function, Air Passenger Terminal and Deployment Control Center.
Participants rotated through 45-minute sessions, practicing how to build cargo pallets, process passengers and manage deployment data.
“This training made all of us force multipliers,” said Master Sgt. Kenneth Souheaver, 66 ABG Inspector General superintendent, who participated in the training event. “If called upon, our Airman are ready to step in and support multiple functions at a moment’s notice.”
During the Air Passenger Terminal station, Airmen learned how to weigh passengers and baggage, complete manifests and deliver pre-boarding briefings.
“This training ensures we have a flexible and capable team,” said Jill Sullivan, Air Passenger Terminal representative. “If we don’t have enough personnel in a real-world scenario, we can rely on trained augmentees who understand the process and can keep operations moving.”
The quarterly training initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance installation readiness by equipping Airmen with cross-functional skills needed to support deployment operations.
By exposing participants to the full deployment process, ABG senior leaders aim to build a more resilient force capable of responding quickly to mission requirements.
Future sessions are expected to expand to include additional ABG functional support areas across the group.