Weekend kick-off for November ORE

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Derek Dill
  • 354th Fighter Wing Inspector General
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eielson's 354th Fighter Wing and 168th Air Refueling Wing are poised to execute another combined operational readiness exercise from Nov. 1 to 5.

The event will begin on a Saturday and conclude the following Wednesday. This is the fourth time both wings have joined together for such an exercise.

The 354th FW is anxious to provide full-scale participation since the wing had to reduce its involvement in the past exercise due to short-notice mission requirements.

The intent is to foster cooperation between Eielson's active duty and Air National Guard communities against the backdrop of shared wartime missions--deployment of outbound forces, reception of inbound forces, and home-station tanker air bridge operations. This combined exercise is also designed to prepare both wings for a combined operational readiness inspection, scheduled for May 18 to 22, 2009.

The wings can expect to receive a mock "Prepare to Deploy" order sometime prior to the actual start of the exercise. This will cue units to assess the availability of various personnel and cargo for deployment. Additionally, the 168th ARW will be issued a mock "mobilization message" calling that unit to federal-duty status.

At an undisclosed time on Saturday, Nov. 1, a mock "Deployment Order" will arrive signaling the start of the exercise. In addition to deploying forces, the 168th ARW will be tasked to fly air refueling missions and the 354th FW will be responsible for critical base operating support functions such as airfield operations and base defense.

By Wednesday, Nov. 5 local air refueling missions will be complete and each wing's respective ability to survive and operate (ATSO) task evaluation activities will be underway.

Both wings will operate independently for this portion of the exercise due to differing requirements; however the intent for each is the same. These activities provide a venue to evaluate performance of critical wartime functions associated with a forward operating environment.

From Nov. 1 to 4 the exercise scenario will include a heightened threat to Eielson AFB and can be expected to generate mock changes to the installation's Force Protection condition. As a result, anyone on base during this period should anticipate some level of impact to their daily activities.

Possibilities include "giant voice" announcements, delays at the main gate, on-base traffic delays, and temporary restrictions to outdoor movement. Additionally, expect instances of single point of entry and ID checks at all facilities (including base exchange and commissary facilities). Furthermore, there may be delays, reductions and/or temporary suspension of various services, such as medical, personnel actions, base fitness center, and others. However, the dining hall's hours of operations will not change for the exercise.

As with previous exercises of this magnitude, the Eielson Child Development Center and School Age programs will extend their hours on weekdays: 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 3 to 5 to accommodate potential early reporting and extended duty hours.

For military members working the exercise, any care required before or after that time can be provided in the Family Child Care Extended Duty Care program. All weekend care on Nov. 1 and 2 will be referred to the Extended Duty Care program in FCC homes. Military members working the exercise are authorized EDC, and are required to submit a referral signed by the members' first sergeant.

The FCC is pre-arranging the placement of children into FCC homes, and space will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis through the EDC Extended Duty Care program.

In order to request extended care, you must have a referral signed by your supervisor. Referral certificates can be obtained from the FCC office or your first sergeant. Priority will be given to single and dual military members. All care provided in the FCC homes under the EDC program is free of charge to the family and referrals will be accepted for care through Oct. 28. Any questions regarding the above childcare options can be directed to Kara Byers at 377-3635.