TRANSCOM’S elite JCSE trains British army at MacDill

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Danielle Conde
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  After months of planning, MacDill's Joint Communications Support Element and Britain's 258th Signal Squadron, part of the 30th Signal Regiment based in Bramcote, Warwickshire, joined forces for Cobb Ring '15, a rigorous two-day physical and mental field readiness exercise, June 24-25 in Tampa, Florida.

Centered on leadership, teamwork and physical conditioning, Cobb Ring challenged the 258th SS under the guidance of seasoned JCSE instructors, who prepared the group for combat and hostile scenarios.

"We work with the United Kingdom quite often in major military operations," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Kyle Johnson, JCSE operations officer. "The better we can synchronize and interoperate together, the better we are going to be on the battle field."

Taken directly out of the JCSE's Warrior Spirit training program, part one of the exercise tested team cohesion. The scenarios included were relays, a two-mile log carry, and Zodiac boat navigation.

What made the exercise unique was that the lowest ranking individuals of the British army, private or signaller in this case, were put in charge. This gave them the opportunity to step up and experience handling more responsibility.

"What people should take away from this exercise is the vastness in leadership skills and how differently people work," said British army Signaller Matt Johnston, 258th SS communications operator.

On day two, the British army's strength and endurance was tested as they braved a highly challenging confidence-building obstacle course at the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Outdoor Shooting Range in Lithia, Florida. Here, participants were tested on individual strength, endurance, and their ability to deliver timely and accurate weapons fire in various situations.

Once all the members completed the obstacle course the top scoring male and female were awarded a JCSE challenge coin.

"It was a great opportunity to meet some of our coalition partners and gain a better appreciation of how our countries operate in a military capability," said Johnson. "I look forward to doing this every year."