Airmen hone warfighter skills during Blue Flag exercise

“My job in the Blue Flag exercise is to provide a unique perspective (outside of the traditional operational realm) to the commander,” said Maj. Sarah Schwennesen, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs Individual Mobility Augmentee. “I am also responsible for developing plans and operational procedures for newsworthy events concerning Air Force activities in our area of responsibility.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kelly Ogden/Released).

Airmen hone warfighter skills during Blue Flag exercise

“My job in the Blue Flag exercise is supporting sourcing of manpower assets, bed-down of forces upon arrival into our area of responsibility and providing accountability of personnel throughout contingency operations,” said Capt. Kristine Espinola, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Manpower, Personnel and Services deputy director. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kelly Ogden/Released).

Airmen hone warfighter skills during Blue Flag exercise

“My job in the Blue Flag exercise is to manage collaborative tools such as Defense Connect Online, Joint Training and Experimentation Network and Sharepoint,” said Senior Airman Clarisse Thomas, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Knowledge Operations Manager. “This ensures that exercise members are able to effectively communicate with downrange personnel as well as key members of the Air Force Forces staff.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Kelly Ogden/Released).

U.S. Southern Command commander visits 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern)

Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, U.S. Southern Command commander, talks with U.S. Army Col. David Ell, 1st Battlefield Coordination Detachment commander, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Jan. 14. Kelly, who assumed his current role Nov. 19, was on his first visit to 12th AF (AFSOUTH) which serves as the air arm of USSOUTHCOM. The 1st BCD is U.S. Army South's liaison element to 12th AF (AFSOUTH), and is charged with processing ground force requests for air support and providing an exchange of current operational and intelligence data between USSOUTHCOM’s Army and Air Force components. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Justin Brockhoff / Released)

U.S. Southern Command commander visits 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern)

Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, U.S. Southern Command commander, discusses the mission of the 612th Air and Space Operations Center with Col. James Bortree, 612th AOC commander, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Jan. 14. The 612th AOC provides command and control of air and space power in USSOUTHCOM's area of responsibility, to include 31 countries covering a sixth of the world's land mass and 559 million people. The $55 million facility, which spans 26,750 square ft., operates 24-hours-a-day to support joint and coalition efforts in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Justin Brockhoff / Released)

U.S. Southern Command commander visits 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern)

Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, U.S. Southern Command commander, discusses the history and lineage of the 612th Air and Space Operations Center with Lt. Gen. Robin Rand, 12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) commander, and Col. James Bortree, 612th AOC commander, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Jan. 14. Kelly, who assumed his current role Nov. 19, was on his first visit to 12th AF (AFSOUTH) which serves as the air arm of USSOUTHCOM. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Justin Brockhoff / Released)