Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, and Airmen assigned to the U.S. Air Force will conduct joint training for certification of Fort Riley’s unimproved flight landing strip on the northwest portion of the installation from Oct. 27-29.

The military said the exercise will validate the air strip’s capabilities for future operations while conducting realistic training on a functional airfield which replicates conditions Airmen and Soldiers may encounter in an austere forward operating location.

Airmen assigned to the 186th Airlift Squadron, Montana Air National Guard, will fly to Manhattan Regional Airport, bundle equipment from the 97th Military Police Battalion, air lifting MP Soldiers and equipment to the landing strip where the aircraft will land and unload equipment with engines running and take-off from the landing strip.  Support of the exercise, which also includes night air drop operations, is provided by Soldiers of 1st Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, and 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The landing strip validation will occur, while soldiers from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team conduct a Combined Live Fire Exercise in training areas nearby.