Exercise Emerald Howl Tests Communication Skills for Tactical Readiness Published April 8, 2025 By Liz Easterling DUKE FIELD, Fla. -- In today’s rapidly evolving operational landscape, communication is more than just a connection, it’s a lifeline. For the communications professionals of the 919th Special Operations Wing ensuring seamless, secure, and resilient communications in dynamic environments is critical. Citizen Air Commandos from the wing hosted Emerald Howl, a local exercise held at Duke Field, FL., March 25-30, 2025, to enhance the deployment readiness, technical proficiency, and leadership development of Airmen in the Wing. The exercise provided members the opportunity to operate communications equipment in a controlled but challenging environment. By taking a hands-on approach to their systems training, participants worked with tactical radio kits and deployable network packages, reinforcing their ability to establish and maintain communication networks under any operational condition. “We’re forging the future of special operations communications, validating our Airmen’s technical skills, developing leaders, and building the kind of team that others want to train with,” said the squadron’s director of operations. “We want our people to take what they learn here into any environment, any mission set, and bring excellence with them.” The exercise emphasized leadership development by placing junior Non-Commissioned Officers and Airmen in roles where they were able to make decisions, manage teams, and apply their training in real-time scenarios. “I’m incredibly proud of how our Airmen stepped up during Exercise Emerald Howl,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Liss, squadron commander. “This exercise gave them the chance to lead, make real-time decisions, and apply their skills in a way that prepares them for any mission. “Watching them grow as Reservists and leaders in this environment has been one of the most rewarding parts of my role.” Unlike traditional training weekends, Emerald Howl allowed Airmen to take ownership of their roles in a way that built confidence and fostered problem-solving skills. As the squadron executed readiness throughout the exercise, the goal was always to ensure their teams could seamlessly deploy their equipment and troubleshoot challenges in a dynamic setting. “Emerald Howl was more than just an exercise; it was our way of reintroducing the 919th communications professionals to the enterprise,” said the director of operations. “We’re demonstrating that we’re not only ready to support, but ready to lead “Our long-term vision is to make this squadron the place where other units come to sharpen their edge. That starts with exercises like Emerald Howl.”