Eielson welcomes challenge

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Just several months after the May 2010 Operational Readiness Inspection, Eielson Air Force Base has jumped back into action by holding the first Operational Readiness Exercise Nov. 2 to 5.

It is not uncommon for a wing to conduct an ORE shortly after an ORI as a way to ensure a high level of readiness is maintained. An ORE also provides an opportunity to train newly arrived personnel who were not present during the ORI.

"The wing always stays ready, it doesn't matter what inspection is coming up. The main point is to keep the wing ready at all times and not wait too long between exercises. It is important to keep things locked down and make sure people know what they're doing," said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Sandusky, 354th Fighter Wing inspector general superintendent of inspections and exercises.

Although we are now only required to do one ORE a year, Eielson AFB is actively prepared for any incident related to or tested during the ORI.

With multiple factors including Airmen PCSing in and out of the base, Airmen must maintain their training.

"We practice to ensure that if and when it comes down to it we can respond to events confidently," said Lt. Col. Donald Overbay, 354th Fighter Wing inspector general.

Several people have changed jobs since the ORI so it is a good opportunity to get some training and make sure people are prepared and ready to go.

"If you continue a state of readiness you're not early, you stay at a level of readiness that's maintainable throughout the week," said Sgt. Sandusky.

The goal is not to make the same mistakes multiple times.

"We've seen some exceptional performers. We look to those people to bring everyone else up to speed," said Col. Overbay.

The ORE prepares Airmen not only for future ORI's but for any real-world incident that could possibly come up. Special attention has been paid towards Airmen taking care of themselves by training in the Ability to Survive Operations portion of the exercise.

"A lot of people came through that were not being evaluated, so ATSO training became a great opportunity to practice and refresh their memory for that," said Sergeant Sandusky.

Throughout the ORE, Airmen were challenged to respond to threats and were tested on their readiness levels. By keeping current on training, Eielson will be better prepared for any incident or conflict-whether it is an inspection or real-world.