ORE closes with valuable lessons learned

Published Sept. 28, 2009
By Tech. Sgt. Christian J. Michael
908th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The 908th Airlift Wing returned to Maxwell Saturday after a week-long Operational Readiness Exercise at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, Gulfport, Miss. While there, the wing learned much in its preparation for the December Operational Readiness Inspection.

For the exercise, six of the Air Force Reserve unit's C-130 aircraft along with 350 members flew to Gulfport for the combined exercise. Reservists from the 94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins ARB, Ga.; the 911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburg ARS, Pa.; and the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick AFB, Fla.; also participated in the exercise.

"We showed a lot of improvement over the [Operational Readiness Training Program] 4," said Lt. Col. Steve Catchings, 908th AW operational readiness "warlord," referring to the previous installment of the 22nd Air Force exercise preparation programs leading up to the ORI. "Some areas and functionals did well; others now know the road they need to take to get better."

The wing departed for Gulfport early in the morning Sept. 14 and quickly set up shop. As night shift, they were the first force on ground after the advance forces had landed and began operations immediately, pulling a long, 18-hour shift their first day. While the week was demanding for everyone in the unit, it was necessary to prepare for what will come in December, Colonel Catchings said.

"There's no replacement for this kind of experience," said Colonel Catchings. "There were a lot of firsts. This is the first time we've done a full, no-kidding deployment out to Gulfport. It's invaluable training that the Maxwell exercise area, Blue Thunder, just can't provide."

Colonel Catchings said the biggest lesson the unit took away from the ORE was how to integrate in an expeditionary environment with other wings; such as shift sharing, shift changing and other intra-unit coordination.

For Airman 1st Class Robbie Jackson, a medical services technician with the 908th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, the ORE was new and invigorating.

"It's definitely a learning experience," said Airman Jackson. "Personally, I learned exactly what my job would be if I do deploy in a worst case scenario. After this experience, I kind of want to volunteer for a deployment."

Airman Jackson agreed with Colonel Catchings on how valuable a lesson it was to see the 908th, 911th, 94th and 920th come together.

"As chaotic as it was, and all the personalities and four different units, we all came together as the 101st Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility," said Airman Jackson. "It was going to be a highly stressed environment. It wasn't supposed to be perfect - not going to have a lot of time to set up or get things perfectly, but it's about how we approached it."

908th AW Commander Col. Brett Clark summed it up. "I am proud of the 908th progress in preparation for our December ORI. Our wing is right where we should be in our readiness improvement efforts. If we all stay focused and on target, I can assure you that we will achieve outstanding results."