Elmendorf units complete ANR inspection Published Sept. 29, 2009 By Senior Airman David Carbajal 3rd Wing Public Affairs ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Members supporting the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region mission received the highest readiness rating after a Region Alert Force Evaluation here Sept. 15-17. The 30-person inspector general team from NORAD's headquarters evaluated all supporting elements of the region's mission such as Elmendorf's ability to maintain and generate alert aircraft and security forces ability to secure the combat alert cell. "This evaluation is just like a wing's ORI (operational readiness inspection)," said Col. Scott Pleus, 611th Air Operations Center commander. "They evaluate all functional aspects of our main mission and that of the supporting units." Similar to a wing ORI, this evaluation was a "no notice" inspection. The inspection team gives the units a six-month window for when the inspection will begin, and it could happen any time in that window, said Pleus. The 19th Fighter Squadron was Elmendorf's primary operations unit participating in this year's evaluation. "This is a mission that Elmendorf does a lot and their performance proved that," said Maj. Lendy Renegar, deputy chief of fighter inspections for NORAD IG. "It was obvious from the get-go that while our evaluation was very thorough, it was just another 'standard' mission for everyone involved." This biennial inspection wasn't held just at Elmendorf. The evaluation tested nearly all of the 11th Air Force and Alaska's Air Defense Sector, said Pleus. The 168th Air Refueling Wing at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, supported with KC-135s, the Elmendorf Command Center provided command and control, 962nd Air Control Squadron flew an E-3 AWACS sortie, 611 Air Support Group provided logistical and communications expertise, and even crews from King Salmon's alert aircraft facility were evaluated for procedure compliance. "The beauty of the ANR mission is we're practicing it real world all the time," said Pleus. "During the first day of the RAFE, the team witnessed aircraft generations for a real-world sovereignty operation. So, the inspectors were able to see how we do business before the evaluation even began. That was a testament to how good this team really is!" The Alaskan NORAD Region, comprised of U.S. and Canadian forces, provides an ongoing capability to deter, detect, intercept, and defeat any threat to the air sovereignty of North America. More than 30 Canadians take part in its operations, but during an evaluation, the inspectors don't distinguish between Canadian and U.S. servicemembers. "It doesn't matter the nationality," said Renegar. "The Canadian forces are observed the same as Americans ... it is truly a team effort." The team identified three outstanding performers and one outstanding unit during the inspection: Capt. Scott Gunn, 19th Fighter Squadron Capt. Uriah Orland, Alaskan Command Public Affairs Staff Sgt. Matt Perdew, 176th Air Control Squadron 168th Air Refueling Wing at Eielson AFB In the end the units collectively earned a "NOARD mission ready" rating. "I'm very proud of everyone involved in this evaluation," said Pleus. "The ANR mission is a 'no fail' mission, and our team of professionals proved they are ready to execute the NORAD mission anytime."