Kendahl Johnson
Following a brief pause for a restructure to better meet the 75th Air Base Wing’s priorities, Hill Air Force Base’s Ready Airmen Training program has returned to the base.
The week-long training now sees a stronger emphasis on tactile and kinesthetic elements, with increased individual hands-on time with each learning objective. The training culminates into a major field training exercise at the Base Operations Readiness Training Area that serves to test participants on the things they learn throughout the week.
“We have to train our Airmen to be more lethal and ready,” said Master Sgt. Colby Hedgepath, senior enlisted leader with the 75th Healthcare Operations Squadron. “The expected outcome is that Airmen are equipped with a familiarization through hands-on learning and exercise of how to perform basic warrior-Airman wartime operations.”
Ready Airman Training will prepare Airmen to develop and demonstrate the mindset required to support the Air Force Force Generation, or AFFORGEN, deployment model, which uses a four phase, 24-month cycle to create forces that train and deploy together.
Leadership will offer one course per month through the end of 2025, with the ability to add additional courses if there is a demand. All active-duty Airmen assigned to Hill will attend Ready Airmen Training, with priority given to Airmen who are in their certify phase of the AFFORGEN cycle.
Hedgepath said they were able to take feedback from both Airmen and leaders to make the course less about computer-based learning, focusing more on rigorous hands-on learning that provides realistic challenges and meets higher level requirements. He said nearly every facet of the program was reviewed and improved with this feedback in mind.
“Our great nation demands we train our Airmen at the speed and scale of what we know the wartime mission will demand,” Hedgepath said. “When we are asked, our folks will be able to execute.”
Ready Airmen Training areas include: law of war; survival, evasion, resistance and escape; small arms; integrated defense; active threat response; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear training; explosive ordnance hazard; tactical combat casualty care all service members course; comprehensive airman fitness; cross cultural communications; information environment awareness; and basic communications.
Airmen set up a defensive perimeter during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 31, 2025. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
Senior Airman Jonathan Batres wears mission oriented protective posture gear during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 31, 2025. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
Airmen conduct “buddy checks” after donning mission oriented protective posture, or MOPP, gear during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 31, 2025. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
Base inspectors check Airmen's gear during a Ready Airman Training event Jan. 31, 2025, at Hill Air Force Base Utah. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
While training for a simulated chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear event, Airmen place a gas mask on an participant acting as an injured person during Ready Airman Training Jan. 30, 2025, at Hill Air Force Base Utah. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
While training for a simulated chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear event, Airmen take cover during Ready Airman Training Jan. 30, 2025, at Hill Air Force Base Utah. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
Airmen certify on weapon breakdown and cleaning procedures during the weapons familiarization certification portion of Ready Airman Training Jan. 30, 2025, at Hill Air Force Base Utah. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
Staff Sergeant Pak Koo, 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron, advances towards a target during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 31, 2025. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
Captain Lucas Breaux, 75th Air Base Wing, directs his team to cease fire during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 31, 2025. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
Airmen set up a defensive perimeter during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 31, 2025. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
Airmen evacuate a simulated casualty over an obstacle during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 31, 2025. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
Captain Lucas Breaux, 75th Air Base Wing, directs an Airman on his team during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 31, 2025. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
Airmen evacuate a simulated casualty during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 31, 2025. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
An Airman radios for medics during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 31, 2025. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
Airmen advance towards a target while an Airman sets up a defensive perimeter during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 31, 2025. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs) 
Airmen conduct a tactical movement during a Ready Airman Training event at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 31, 2025. The RAT program trains Airmen in combat-based skills and ensures readiness for deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Cynthia Griggs)