Operational Readiness Inspection closes door on a year of hard work

  • Published
  • By Capt. Shannon Mann
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC --  "War is hell." 

Gen. William T. Sherman had it right, but even preparing for war is no easy task. Just talk to 3,500 members of the 916th Air Refueling Wing and the 439th Airlift Wing and they'll tell you exactly how hard it can be to prepare. 

In early August these two Reserve wings wrapped up more than a year's worth of planning and preparation as they completed their Operational Readiness Inspection in Alpena, Mich. 

More than 800 reservists deployed to the training site, but the inspection was a conscious effort of all personnel from both wings. 

For nearly a week, roughly 30 areas were not just reviewed, but put under a microscope by Air Mobility Command inspectors. Many deployers said this was the hardest inspection they'd ever gone through in their entire careers. 

The black hats of the inspector team could be seen around the clock at both bases and in Alpena...running wartime scenarios, testing the reservists ability to survive and operate and judging leadership abilities and tactics. 

Mock missile attacks shook the base several times a day and sent Airmen into full chemical attire for upwards of four hours at a time in temperatures reaching into the 80s. But even while hiding under desks the work flow did not cease for a minute. A sense of urgency could be seen by all and demonstrating the ability to operate was of the utmost importance. 

When the smoke cleared and the 'hostilities' ended, a sigh of relief could be heard as people shed the 40 pounds of gear they'd been physically attached to for more than 48 hours. Now the task was packing up and going home - still under the watchful eyes of the inspectors. 

Less than a week later both units would learn that their hard efforts paid off and they met the standards of the IG team. A few areas faired very well and a few needed more work, but overall the wings were ready to go to war. 

Col. Phil Fallin, vice wing commander for the 916th Air Refueling Wing and commander for the combined wing during the inspection told members of the 916th "I think the results are very valid and this is an accurate report," he said. "I'm proud of you and be proud of yourselves." 

While the inspection wraps up more than a year's worth of hard work, it is only part of grading cycle that is constant. The next ORI for the wing is scheduled for 2010.