Wing sets game plan for ORI success

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mikal Canfield
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  As the year progresses, 3rd Wing Airmen can expect to participate in more exercises as the wing prepares for the Pacific Air Forces Operational Readiness Inspection set to begin Oct. 31.

The wing has Polar Force Operational Readiness Exercises scheduled for March 24-29; May 27-June 2; Aug. 4-9; and Sept. 22-27. How the wing does during these exercises will be the key to a successful ORI.

"Practice builds confidence and reinforces training," said Maj. Ty Bridge, 3rd Wing Inspections & Exercises chief. "Conducting multiple exercises will give each unit an opportunity to identify improvement areas, make corrections, and try again. It's a cycle of continuous improvement. The goal is to have everyone ready for the inspection."

The OREs are broken into two stages: Phase I and Phase II. According to Major Bridge, Phase I evaluates the wing's transition from peacetime readiness into a wartime posture and the ability to maintain and sustain essential home station missions during and after the deployment of mobility forces. Phase II evaluates the wing's ability to meet wartime taskings in a deployed location.

Exercises at Elmendorf are unique from other installations in PACAF, in part because of our geographic location.

"Several installations in PACAF exercise 'fight-the-base' scenarios," said Major Bridge. "Those units are already positioned in forward operating locations so they have a real and heightened security threat. Units from Elmendorf can expect to deploy to those bases so our local exercises need to replicate those conditions."

For example, Airmen and equipment from Elmendorf might be deployed to Misawa Air Base, Japan. For the exercise to truly prepare wing Airmen for a possible contingency operation, the ORE needs to mirror a scenario that includes deploying to that location.

The arrival of the wing's newest aircraft has also presented exercise planners with some challenges.

"This is the first time C-17s have integrated into readiness exercises in Alaska," said Capt. Gavin Peterson, 3rd Wing Inspections exercise director. "Additionally, the 3rd Wing is writing the book on how the F-22s practice deployment and combat employment in PACAF."

One of the things the wing does to recreate the deployed environment is to utilize the Alaska Joint Regional Training Site, also known as Camp Mad Bull. According to Senior Master Sgt. David Hudson, 3rd Wing Inspections senior enlisted manager, this camp - located north of Six Mile Lake on Elmendorf - allows portions of the base to become "Base X" during the Phase II portion of the ORE. Camp Mad Bull provides an ideal location for Airmen to get an opportunity to exercise in the kinds of austere conditions they can anticipate when forward deployed, he added.

All of these exercises are just practice for the real test, the wing's ORI scheduled to begin Oct. 31. However, the wing doesn't just have exercises to ensure it is ready for inspections.

"Our mission at Elmendorf - to provide units capable of worldwide air power projection and meet Pacific command's theater staging and throughput requirements - is evaluated and measured during inspections," said Major Bridge. "Every day this wing brilliantly demonstrates how we globally project air power, how we support the AEF, and how we support the War on Terrorism. The ORI grades us on our ability to perform those wartime, contingency, force sustainment, and assigned OPLAN taskings."

When it's time for the ORI, wing Airmen can ensure a successful inspection by focusing on things like sense of urgency, displaying a professional attitude, and understanding their role and how they contribute to the mission, Major Bridge added.

"First impressions can make a difference. Don't take things personally or be defensive. Don't argue or pass blame. Fight the war, not the inspectors," he said. "When performing your mission tasks, do them as if you are really deploying. The inspectors can spot an organization that is well led and making smart decisions almost immediately. If you identify a problem, fix it on the spot or as quickly as possible."

Being prepared for the ORI begins now, with each of the Polar Force exercises scheduled between now and the ORI.

"Set goals for the exercises. Review past exercise reports and ensure previous findings and recommended improvement areas have been addressed," said Major Bridge. "Learn from others' mistakes and best practices. Be prepared for anything the adversary may throw at you. Practice OPSEC, FPCON measures, and continually test your ability to survive and operate under combat conditions."