Set-up for success

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jacob Jimenez
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Citizen Airmen from the 482nd Fighter Wing began their second in a series of Operational Readiness Exercise's here on Jan. 28.

The ORE is to prepare the base for an upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection scheduled later in the year. The ORI is a major inspection mandated by the Active Duty Air Force for all Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard bases and must be conducted every four years.

ORIs evaluate and measure the ability of units to perform their wartime, contingency, or force sustainment missions.

During the exercise, Airmen were responsible for having required items and gear readily available to use in a moment's notice. Some of their mandatory items include a gas mask, protective chemical suit and an Airman's Manual.

"Having a sense of urgency and paying attention to detail is essential to success in the ORI," said Chief Master Sgt. Carmelito Garay, Chief of Military Personnel for 10th Air Force.

In addition to having all necessary equipment and knowing how to use it, exercise players were required to take hands-on training and computer training prior to participating. Training in medical care, explosive devices, chemical attacks and different alarm signals, were just a few of the required courses preparing Airmen to function in a war-zone environment.

"I found the Self-Aid and Buddy Care online course to be very helpful," said Staff Sgt. James Kelly, 482nd Maintenance Squadron avionics technician. "I feel a lot more comfortable being tested on my SABC skills."

Airmen had to utilize their required training in different scenarios and perform under pressure as if in a real combat environment.

"This ORE has challenged me in different simulated wartime scenarios," said Capt. Brad Fink, 482nd Fighter Wing chaplain. "This has helped me better prepare for the ORI."

Having adequate training and knowledge are important in an ORE/ORI, as well as having good leadership and a positive attitude.

"Each ORE has taught me and my unit what we can improve on to get ready for the ORI," said Kelly. "The more OREs we do and the better attitude we have, the better we get at it."

Exercises will continue each month until after the readiness inspection in May.