Patriot Hook Overview

What is Patriot Hook? Patriot Hook is an annual joint expeditionary air mobility exercise designed by the 452 nd ALCF from March Air Reserve Base, California. The exercise runs for approximately six days total and involves multiple operating locations in the Southern California area. The focus of our exercise is: maximizing the operational utilization for all exercise participants in achieving fully integrated air mobility training objectives as well as unit specific training objectives. Patriot Hook simply delivers the most training possible to the widest cross section of participants available. The Patriot Hook concept was developed by the 452 nd ALCF post-Operation Desert Shield as a result of a training vacuum for ALCE operations. Since then, Patriot Hook has been able to provide a consistently uncompromising level of outstanding air mobility training which is designed to parallel the operational requirements of full scale war or humanitarian disaster.

What is ALCE? Airlift Control Elements (ALCE) are the only rapidly deployable agile expeditionary force within U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) / Air Mobility Command (AMC) formally trained and operationally certified to provide full spectrum air mobility command and control, complex mission management, and heavy communications with minimal presence and little to no external support. ALCE cadre include: Operations Officers, Operations Non-Commissioned Officers, Loadmasters / Boom Operators, Communications Specialists, and Aerospace Ground Equipment specialist who are extensively trained as air mobility professionals. Due to the expertise of ALCE members, an austere airfield in support of contingency operations can be operational within hours typically using between three and twelve personnel. Here are some specific services we provide: Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC) / Air Mobility Division (AMD) field level representation and operational coordination, Airlift User operational coordination and training (AMC Affiliation Program), Aircrew staging and scheduling, Aircraft Maintenance coordination, Aerial Port coordination, Airfield operations management, and Host nation operational coordination.

What is the AMC Affiliation Program and how does it apply to Patriot Hook? Air Mobility is an inherently complex “Joint” operation between the user and the airlift provider. The AMC Affiliation Program is the heart of joint interoperability in air mobility operations which builds the relationship between the airlift user and TRANSCOM / AMC. ALCE provides formal training, education, and certification for our affiliates in the air mobility process which ultimately optimizes the air mobility system. Patriot Hook is nothing less than a full scale “Hands On” demonstration / training opportunity for our affiliates which underscores the value of their relationship with TRANSCOM / AMC and ALCE in the application of rapid global mobility in response to contingency operations. To our affiliates, Patriot Hook also allows them to dovetail a real world deployment to an austere environment with robust joint training opportunities such as: live fire, search and rescue, harbor defense, convoy training, encampment, communications interoperability, explosives ordinance disposal, aero medical evacuation, air-to-air refueling, drop zone, amphibious assault, CBRNE, and annual air mobility certification / validation.

N March - KRIV North Island - KNZY San Clemente - KNUC Operating Locations San Clemente Island NALF – KNUC: Main Operating Base March ARB – KRIV: Support / Transient Base North Island NAS – KNZY: Support / Transient Base