Readiness key to total force success

  • Published
  • By Capt. Genieve David
  • 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  For the first time in history, every single wing on Hill AFB jointly participated in an operational readiness exercise.

The Ogden Air Logistic Center, along with all four wings, and both Total Force Integration wings, the 388th and 419th Fighter Wings, participated in this key milestone exercise.

"It is the smart way to go," said Eric Faucher, 75th Air Base Wing Plans and Programs office, "Together - one fight, one team ... Everyone participating creates better team work around the center and also provides enhanced training opportunities for personnel who have not recently played in OREs."

Phase I consisted of a weapons material support, a standard air munitions package and a standard racks, adapters, and pylons package portion.

A Phase II exercise tests an installation's ability to function and respond appropriately in a deployed environment. The Phase II portion began Oct. 11, and continued through the 419th FW's Unit Training Assembly weekend that ended Oct. 14.

All wings, under Air Force Material Command, participated with a fight-in-place ability to survive and operate concept where military members donned their chemical gear within their perspective organizations or in some instances wherever they were during a chemical attack. 

"We need to train the way we're going to fight, " said Brig. Gen. Ken Merchant, Ogden Air Logistics Center vice commander. "This is the perfect way ahead for the center. Many on the ALC side have never participated in a Phase II or deployed. This exercise gave them a chance to play and prepare. We are embracing the total force culture and working together to provide great training for our Airmen ... I am extremely proud of Team Hill for pulling this off so well."

Additionally, military members provided support to the War Operations Center, conducted first aide and buddy care, provide unexploded ordnance checks and demonstrated proper protocols of decontamination at a contamination control area.

"Phase II represents good training opportunities for numerous personnel who have never deployed or never worn the chemical suit. It creates a feeling for what it would be like to perform their wartime duties in a deployed location," Mr. Faucher said.

The ORE, which took about six months to plan, was designed to simulate operations at a deployed location, but its primary focus was to test how units worked together under stressful circumstances.

As with any exercise, the units wanted to learn their strengths and improve on weaknesses, but this first-time, joint ORE was more about relationship building and becoming acquainted.

"We gained some valuable lessons learned form this ORE," Mr. Faucher said. "Communication up and down the command and control structure in a simulated deployed environment presented some challenges."

During the ORE, Chief Master Sgt. Elizabeth Atisme, the 419th FW command chief, spent a good amount of time visiting Airmen in shops throughout both wings, and was impressed with how well the joint exercise was played.

"It appeared that it was a cohesive team," Chief Atisme said. "Everyone seemed to complement each other. You couldn't see the unit patch underneath their chem gear anyway."

Overall, the joint exercise was sucessful, but with lessons learned to bear in mind for the next exercise.

The next joint ORE is slated for March 2008.


419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs contributed to this story.