ORE Round 3: Team Andersen completes January exercise Published Jan. 28, 2010 By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway 36th Wing Public Affairs ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Airmen, civilians and contractors from the 36th Wing participated in an operational readiness exercise Jan. 25-28 in order to assess the wing's capabilities and mission preparedness. This exercise marks the third ORE in four months. Lesson learned from each exercise will be applied in subsequent exercises and the operational readiness inspection in August. "This marks the conclusion of the third operational readiness exercise we have conducted over the last four months, demonstrating our readiness and ability to respond to contingencies," said Brig. Gen. Phil Ruhlman, 36th Wing commander. "I am very proud of the outstanding dedication and joint teamwork by all military and civilian members assigned to Andersen Air Force Base. They made this exercise a tremendous success" Base senior leadership have noticed an increase in Airmen being more proactive during scenarios. "Leadership occurs at all levels," said Chief Master Sgt. Allen D. Mullinex, 36th Wing command chief. "We've seen some outstanding performers during this exercise among all ranks. That's what it takes to ensure our mission continues to succeed." Visitors from the Pacific Air Forces Inspector General team took a firsthand look at the wing they'll be inspecting in August. "The PACAF IG had 10 members here to evaluate the IG/EET's method of building and pulling off an ORE as well as gauge the wing's response," Colonel Voegtly said. "There were many positive comments for both our exercise program as well as the positive attitudes throughout the wing. We all need to keep up the good work while improving the areas that aren't up to standard. Remember, a positive attitude is a force multiplier; a negative attitude is a force divider." Members of the inspector general office have seen marked improvement and steady progression throughout the wing since December's ORE. The biggest improvements we saw were in the Wing's ability to coordinate responses to attacks and suspicious activity," said Lt. Col. Robert Voegtly, 36th Wing Inspector General. "Additionally, we deliberately challenged Team Andersen's mobility machine, a partnership lead by [the 36th Logistics Readiness Squadron] and DZSP-21, and they responded very well." December's exercise tested the wing's ability to run at 60 percent of its capability. January's exercise ramped up to 60 percent, according to Colonel Voegtly. "Increasing the intensity of each exercise inevitably identifies additional areas for improvement," Colonel Voegtly said. "However, as a whole, the wing continues to take on each increase with a sense of professional intensity." Airmen have already been tested through many scenarios in previous OREs. January's was no different. "We stressed the wing's first responders and they answered the call, "Colonel Voegtly said. "[Our security forces, fire department] and our medics shone. Additionally, the 36th [Munitions Squadron] newcomer's orientation was cited as a being a benchmark program. With the large personnel influx to many of our units, it is in each squadron's best interest to build on the system they have in place." Colonel Voegtly urged Team Andersen to press forward through all the exercises and strive for improvement each exercise. "We have made big improvements in every area with each successive exercise, but we need to keep on this path toward complete mission readiness," Colonel Voegtly said. "The next two OREs and the August ORI are important and I'm confident we will do well, but the reason we do this is to ensure we are fully ready to accomplish our wartime taskings. "We all need to continue to build on our Airmen skills and more thoroughly understand how your unit's role support's the 36th Wing mission," Colonel Voegtly said. "We are looking for three things across the wing: proficiency in Air Force Specialty and Airmen Skills, attitude and enthusiasm, and the situational awareness to know what needs to get done next."