Up for challenge: Fly, Fight, Win Published May 27, 2009 By Col. Thomas Bergeson 3rd Wing Commander ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- It's finally here. As Airmen, our deepest desire is to serve our country by performing our mission with the skill and professionalism that characterize the 3rd Wing. For the past two years, we trained relentlessly to ready ourselves, not just for this inspection, but for any engagement that may present itself. We are ready. We are ready to deploy ourselves and our weapons, be they aircraft, computers, or wrenches, to any battle that beckons us. We are ready to face any enemy. We are ready to fight any war. And, we are certainly ready for this Operational Readiness Inspection. To the men and women of the 3rd Wing: Deploying and fighting is not new to us. We do this every day. Just last week, we deployed more than 200 Airmen along with 12 F-22s from the 525th Fighter Squadron to Guam. In addition, we currently have 422 3rd Wing warriors deployed around the globe, including 218 in Iraq and Afghanistan. Flying, fighting and winning is in our very nature. This ORI is merely one more opportunity for us to showcase our unprecedented skill and professionalism. To the visiting IG inspectors and augmentees: Welcome. We've been waiting for you. As you find areas for improvement in the 3rd Wing, I know you'll also find strengths that you will take back with you to your bases. As iron sharpens iron, we are eager to learn from you as you will learn from us. It's finally here -- 3rd Wing ORI 2009. We're Ready!