Shorter Deployments for Training (DFTs) like Prime BEEF are also crucial for junior enlisted Airmen, exposing them to the Air Force Force Generation model.

“It’s good for first-term Airmen to get a sense of what we do when we deploy,” said Ericksen. “Being in Alaska for only a week gives them a taste of what they can expect to experience on a 6-month deployment.”

“Scruffy Devil” was explicitly modeled after that aspect of a deployment-like experience. The lack of certainty and surprise of operability was by design.

“We want to put people into new, uncomfortable environments,” said Lt. Col. Lucas Smith, 177th Civil Engineer Squadron commander. “We want to test you in a situation as close to a real-world deployment as possible, as safely as possible. The trainings that really stick are the ones that stand out.”

This particular Prime BEEF training stood out for multiple reasons, most notably due to a visit from several leaders from the New Jersey Air National Guard. The leaders were able to better understand what civil engineers do in a deployed environment.

“Having our wing leadership here was a stand-out moment,” said Garcia. “I’ve spoken to countless leaders during my time at JBER, from colonels of the National Guard Bureau to commanders and senior enlisted leaders from the 177th Fighter Wing. Never have they been on a Deployment for Training and had state representatives attend.”

A distinguished visitor’s role during a DFT is to observe the training to better understand the mission and how Air Force career fields promote mission readiness.

“At the end of the day, our responsibility is to be ready,” said Brig. Gen. Patrick M. Kennedy, Assistant Adjutant General for the New Jersey Air National Guard. “So you have the teamwork, the planning, the execution, and the training. All of that translates to mission execution and mission success.”

Junior enlisted Airmen and wing leadership took value from Prime BEEF week in myriad ways.

“Very often, we just see the pilot, the airplane, the crew chief out on the line, and that’s it – and often that’s what we think the mission is,” said Col. Derek B. Routt, commander of the 177th Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard. “I now have an even deeper appreciation for the civil engineers during deployment. It’s now my responsibility to pass that on to our more than 1,200 Airmen at home to get more perspective.”

With the completion of the Prime BEEF week training, 177th FW civil engineers are already looking forward to their next deployment.

“This year’s Prime BEEF could not have been more successful,” said Garcia. “The training is done, but tomorrow is another day. Tomorrow is when we take what we’ve learned in the training and put it to the test in the field.”

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