ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Airmen and Sailors worked together Aug. 12 during the U.S. Navy’s Surface Readiness Effectiveness Measurement, or SURFREM, 15 at Andersen Air Force Base.
The two services came together for the day-long test called "Clutch Shot" with the objective of shooting a missile from a Navy P-8 Poseidon and from the USS Fitzgerald at a free floating target at the same time. The B-52 aircrews helped with nontraditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions like "Clutch Shot" based on its range, speed, loiter time and its over-the-horizon communications and array of sensors onboard.
With constant communication, both Air Force and Navy crews made the mission possible.
"The harpoon shot support by the B-52 in SURFREM 15 just shows how, no matter the service, we are all one team capable and aware of how other services can integrate in a joint environment to accomplish a mission," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Matt Spinelli, 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron team chief. "Building on the relationship between the services, educating the crew forces and building better ways to effectively and efficiently work together is always a goal that we strive for."
Sailors ultimately met their test goals and continued with other events included in the two-week SURFREM 15 exercise. The exercise brought sailors to Guam from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, and was held to ensure mission readiness while at sea.
"We achieved our mission objectives," said U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer 3 Chad Guerrero, Global Tactical Operation Center officer in charge. "We couldn't have achieved this mission without the Air Force's support."