Operation Limelight Published May 25, 2023 By Staff Sgt. Christina Russo 910th Airlift Wing Public Affairs NAVAL AIR STATION KEY WEST, Florida -- More than 50 Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing conducted annual aircrew water survival training from April 18-21, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 757th Airlift Squadron and the 910th Operations Support Squadron worked closely with each other and the Navy to coordinate the off-station training. Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Lt. Col. Ryan Cooley, the chief of aerial spray assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, is pulled into an MH-60S Multi-Mission Helicopter assigned to Naval Air Station Key West during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at NAS Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise 1st Lt. Michael Duniec, a navigator assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, is lifted out of the water and into an MH-60S Multi-Mission Helicopter assigned to Naval Air Station Key West during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at NAS Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Operations Group tread water during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th OG traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Operations Group tread water during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th OG traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Operations Group participate in a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Juliet Louden) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Operations Group pose for a photo during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th OG traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Juliet Louden) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Operations Group disembark a MH-60S Multi-Mission Helicopter assigned to Naval Air Station Key West on April 19, 2023, at NAS Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th OG traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Operations Group tread water during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Operations Group tread water during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th OG traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Operations Group tread water during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th OG traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Operations Group tread water during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th OG traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Tech. Sgt. Solomon Walker, a flight engineer assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, is lifted out of the water during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Tech. Sgt. Solomon Walker, a flight engineer assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, is lifted out of the water during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Lt. Col. Chris May, the chief pilot assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, climbs into a 20-person lift raft during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Lt. Col. Lisa Ballas, 910th Operations Support Squadron commander, climbs into a 20-person life raft during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise An MH-60S Multi-Mission Helicopter assigned to Naval Air Station Key West conducts a mass casualty rescue exercise alongside Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing on April 19, 2023, at NAS Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th AW traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Maj. Nick Bargiband, chief of current operations assigned to the 910th Operations Support Squadron, climbs into a 20-person life raft during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing carry a 20-person life raft during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th AW traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Juliet Louden) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Maj. Sho Kawano, a Japanese exchange pilot assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, hangs in a parachute harness during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Juliet Louden) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing check water survival equipment during training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th AW traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Juliet Louden) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing pose for a photo after completing water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th AW traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing carry a 20-person life raft out of the ocean during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th AW traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing dissemble a 20-person life raft canopy during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th AW traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing float in a 20-person life raft during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing carry a parachute out of the ocean during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th AW traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Lt. Col. Chris May, the chief pilot assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, carries a parachute out of the ocean during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training 1st Lt. Bill Baldrey, a pilot assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, emerges from underneath a parachute during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Lt. Col. Lisa Ballas, 910th Operations Support Squadron commander, walks into the water during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Maj. Shannon Baker, an instructor navigator assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, walks into the water during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing participated in water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th AW traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Tech. Sgt. Solomon Walker, a flight engineer assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, is pulled through the water during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Master Sgt. Zach Angel, a Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape operations specialist assigned to the 910th Operations Support Squadron, instructs Reserve Citizen Airmen during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Maj. Shannon Baker, an instructor navigator assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, assemblies the 20-person life raft canopy during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Lt. Col. Chris May, the chief pilot assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, unfolds a 20-person life raft canopy during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Lt. Col. Ryan Cooley, the chief of aerial spray assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, floats in a one-person life raft on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Lt. Col. Lisa Ballas, 910th Operations Support Squadron commander, climbs into a 20-person life raft during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Lt. Col. Ryan Cooley, the chief of aerial spray assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, is pulled into an MH-60S Multi-Mission Helicopter assigned to Naval Air Station Key West during a mass casualty rescue exercise on April 19, 2023, at NAS Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Noah J. Tancer) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Mass Casualty Exercise Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Tech. Sgt. Solomon Walker, a flight engineer assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, climbs into a 20-person life raft during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing participated in water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training 1st Lt. Joshua Peltier, a navigator assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, treads water during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Capt. Gregory Wlazlowski, a pilot assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, listens to instructions during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing carry a 20-person life raft during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th AW traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing tread water during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th AW traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Staff Sgts. Micaiah McCartney and Kaleb Walker, loadmasters assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, walk to shore during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Maj. Tyler McNeely, the chief of tactics assigned to the 910th Operations Support Squadron, inflates a one-person life raft during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training 1st Lt. Evan Hart, a pilot assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, floats in a one-person life raft during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Senior Airman Chloe Lenkner, a loadmaster assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, gets pulled through the water during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing pull an aircrew member assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron through the water during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th AW traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Senior Master Sgt. Rob Mitchell, a loadmaster assigned to the 757th Airlift Squadron, hangs in a parachute harness during water survival training on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th Airlift Wing traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training Reserve Citizen Airmen assigned to the 910th Airlift Wing listen to water survival instructions on April 19, 2023, at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Members from the 910th AW traveled to NAS Key West to complete necessary refresher training conducted every three years to remain combat-ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christina Russo) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res SLIDESHOW | images | Operation Limelight: Water Survival Training “Operation Limelight was executed in conjunction with annual aircrew water survival training,” said Col. Scott Lawson, 910th Operations Group commander. “The purpose was to expose reserve members to new and unexpected urban situations they may find themselves in when executing airlift missions overseas.” In preparation for Operation Limelight, Lawson tasked his Airmen with organizing training exercises that would present aircrew with real-world situations while giving them the necessary tools to survive. “Putting the Airmen in the ocean and an urban environment where conditions can change rapidly gives them the opportunity to think critically, work as a team and solve problems under stressful conditions,” said Lawson. As foreign adversaries continue to test the U.S. military’s capabilities, Reserve Citizen Airmen are tasked now more than ever to be prepared to step up when called upon, which is why the 910th AW’s vision of ‘Combat Ready ALWAYS’ has leadership pursuing training opportunities for their Airmen in the most realistic settings. “Conflicts around the world may arise at any time; this was the perfect opportunity to place our members in an urban environment, rapidly change the conditions on them and see how they perform,” said Lawson. “Coming down to Key West allowed aircrew to refresh their skills in a real-world environment where they have to work with the conditions at hand whether it be wind, heat or swells in the ocean.” For Lt. Col. Lisa Ballas, 910th Operations Support Squadron commander, this was her first off-station training with the 910th OG and an opportunity to test her leadership abilities. “Taking any group off-station requires a lot of planning, coordination and clear, concise communication,” said Ballas. “Planning is crucial and you have to trust in your people and their hard work. In the end, the 910th OSS knocked it out of the park. I couldn’t be prouder of my OSS team, especially the aircrew flight equipment, intel and training sections.” Whether it be a training exercise or a real-world contingency, extensive coordination and intel gathering is crucial to the overall success of the mission. As peer and near-peer global competitors vie for the upper hand in potential future conflicts, the 910th is following the Air Force’s lead in changing how Airmen train and remain ready for the fight.