Team Mildenhall hosts CFE treaty compliance exercise

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Justine Rho
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office
RAF MILDENHALL, England – Members from the 100th Air Refueling Wing, 48th Fighter Wing and 501st Combat Support Wing Plans and Programs offices participated in a Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Challenge Inspection tabletop exercise May 31 to June 2.

The goal of the readiness exercise was to prepare U.S. Air Forces in Europe – United Kingdom bases should a compliance inspection occur.

“The treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe allows signatories to inspect a specified area to see if undeclared equipment or activity is occurring,” said Larry Walker, 100th ARW Arms Control Treaty Compliance officer. “This exercise will define wing requirements to support this type of inspection to ensure the U.S. is in full compliance with our legally binding responsibilities while protecting national security.”

During the three-day exercise, the wings worked through a scenario from the declaration of an inspection until completion.

“Any of the 29 signatories of the CFE treaty can declare an inspection on another signatory,” Walker explained.

If and when that happens, the base plans and programs office will coordinate with the local Joint Arms Control Implementation Group to support the inspection.

“If this inspection was to occur, my role would be to help the treaty compliance officer and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency to coordinate all support requirements on reception and movement of the inspection team during their time on RAF Mildenhall,” said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Kim, 100th Civil Engineer Squadron NCO in charge of wing plans and programs. “We can reasonably expect that all the units on RAF Mildenhall would be involved to ensure that we provide the best support possible to the inspection team and DTRA.”

Prior to the conclusion of the tabletop exercise, participants asked questions and exchanged knowledge to ensure the readiness of their base.

“Since treaties are legally binding documents, this is a no-fail mission for the U.S. government,” Walker said.

The significance in readiness for such inspection was unanimous among the exercise participants.

“These inspections are important to ensure we are compliant with treaties that our government has signed,” Kim said. “Compliance helps build international relationships and improve the safety and security of U.S. interests not only in the U.K., but around the world.”