ORE Round 2: 36th Wing gears up for December exercise

  • Published
  • By Shane Dunaway
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Airmen, civilians and contractors from the 36th Wing will participate in an operational readiness exercise Dec. 8-11 in order to assess the wing's capabilities and mission preparedness.

This exercise marks the second ORE in three months. Lesson learned from each exercise will be applied in subsequent exercises and the operational readiness inspection in August.

"These operational readiness exercises will significantly prepare us for the PACAF Operational Readiness Inspection in August 2010. These exercises and the culminating higher headquarters inspection are critical in defining our readiness and assuring our credibility" said Brig. Gen. Phil Ruhlman, 36th Wing commander.

Members of the inspector general office have seen marked improvement and steady progression throughout the wing.

"First responders are doing well during the exercise," said Tech. Sgt. Malik Franklin, 36th Wing IG NCO-in-charge of exercises. "Our ability to survive and operate was a strong point for the wing. We are a far cry from where we started and the base as a whole has a better handle on what we're doing. Each part is moving like cogs in a clock."

October's exercise tested the wing's ability to run at 30 percent of its capability, but December's exercise will test at 60 percent, according to Sergeant Franklin.

"I believe the base is ready for the challenge," Sergeant Franklin said. "We have units already who are excelling - running above 90 percent of its capabilities."

Airmen have already been tested through many attack scenarios, including a sniper scenario in the October exercise. The December exercise will unveil even more challenges.

"There are going to be some new wrinkles," Sergeant Franklin said. "Some of the scenarios will be the same with a few tweaks and we'll have some newer, different scenarios to test the base's operational plans."

Sergeant Franklin insisted through all the exercises that all of Team Andersen has stake in the accomplishments of this wing.

"[We all] must be cognizant that Andersen AFB's mission is a special mission," Sergeant Franklin said. "Airmen here understand that no one goes at this mission alone and it takes all parts to ensure mission success."