San Francisco transformed into mock battlezone under Air Force’s ‘Exercise Sourdough’
Exercise Sourdough: Air Force Airmen Engage in Urban Evasion Training in San Francisco
San Francisco, known for its liberal views and vibrant culture, recently served as the backdrop for a unique military training exercise. Over the course of three days, the city was transformed into a mock battleground as members of the US Air Force participated in a challenging urban evasion training event.
Dubbed “Exercise Sourdough,” this Department of War initiative aimed to enhance the survival skills of airmen operating behind enemy lines. More than 150 personnel, including airmen from various military branches and civilian law enforcement agencies, took part in the exercise.
The airmen were tasked with evading capture by a simulated enemy force made up of members of the city’s Sheriff’s Office, the US Coast Guard, SWAT officers, and other military squads. For 72 hours, eleven teams comprising 40 airmen covertly navigated the city streets with limited resources, facing the constant threat of being captured.
Lt. Col. Mary Lea Bordelon, the squadron commander overseeing the exercise, highlighted the importance of the training in improving the airmen’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) skills in a realistic urban environment. The scenarios mirrored real-life situations where soldiers must evade capture until extraction plans can be executed.
The airmen received instructions on how to navigate the city discreetly, such as locating specific vehicles and following communication protocols. If caught, they were taken into custody and interrogated by the sheriff’s office, adding an element of realism to the exercise.
Despite the challenges, only five out of the eleven teams were captured, showcasing the airmen’s resilience and tactical acumen. The exercise concluded with all Air Force teams being extracted by helicopters and boats from various California agencies and transported back to Travis Air Force Base.
Master Sgt. Jeremy Campbell emphasized the significance of the training, noting that exercises of this magnitude are rare and offer valuable learning opportunities for military personnel. The success of Exercise Sourdough highlights the commitment of the US Air Force to ensuring the readiness and preparedness of its airmen in diverse and challenging scenarios.
