Ready Airman Training

Staff Sgt. Jaren Daly, 75th Communications and Information Directorate, attends to a simulated casualty during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Oct. 26, 2023. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)

Ready Airman Training

Airman 1st Class Raymond Corona, 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron, evaluates a casualty during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Oct. 26, 2023. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)

Ready Airman Training

Left, Tech. Sgt. Justin Winstead, 75th Security Forces Squadron, trains Airmen on integrated defense during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Oct. 26, 2023. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)

Hill AFB implements Ready Airman Training to prepare Airmen for great power competition

Published Oct. 30, 2023
By 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE – Hill Air Force Base is taking proactive measures to ensure their forces are ready for great power competition as the Air Force transitions to a new deployment model called Air Force Force Generation.

One such measure is the implementation of the Ready Airman Training program, and the first iteration of RAT took place at Hill AFB from Oct. 23-26.

The RAT program is designed to overcome the shortfalls of previous deployment training that was accomplished on an as-needed basis once an individual had been tasked with a deployment.

Now, across an 18-month RAT cycle, Airmen will receive tailored training to help ensures their skillsets are retained and individuals are prepared for contingencies in both home station and deployed environments.

“The Ready Airmen Training program is designed to train Airmen in combat-based skills so that they can be ready for deployment taskings at any time,” said Tech. Sgt. Emily Richards, 75^th Air Base Wing Chapel. “The program is also an essential step towards ensuring that Airmen are prepared for worldwide operational requirements.”

Chief Master Sgt. Vernon Jackson, 75^th ABW command chief, said that RAT is an essential component of the new AFFORGEN model for how the Air Force now deploys to present capabilities to Joint Force Commanders.

“The new AFFORGEN model requires every Airman to develop a multi-capable Airman mindset focused on how they provide a capability, not just a specific functionality,” Jackson said. “The RAT program is an essential component of this change in how we organize, train and fight, making the force more agile, lethal and survivable to operate in a contested environment.”

The first iteration of RAT at Hill AFB culminated with a daylong field training exercise. Classroom and hands-on training throughout the week focused on tactical combat casualty care, weapons familiarization, integrated defense, and other critical skills.

The next iteration of RAT is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, and the program’s organizers will seek feedback from the field on how to improve it.

“We look forward to building on the success of this first iteration of the Ready Airmen Training program and look forward to seeing its continued impact on our mission readiness as we move forward,” Richards said.