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108th ORI, Best Seen to Date
By the 108th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office
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| Defending the line: 108th Airmen defend the flightline during a simulated enemy attack. Photo courtesy 108ARW/PA. |
The 108th Air Refueling Wing received an Excellent rating for its execution of Operational Plan 8044; Satisfactory rating for the Operational Readiness Inspection; and Satisfactory for the four Special Interest Items by the IG team during the ORI held July 20-29. Many sections on the IG’s list received high ratings, such as Aircrew Generation, and Command and Control, who received Excellent ratings, as well as CP Controller Testing, Aircrew Testing and Intelligence, all of which received Outstanding ratings.
“Admirable wing leadership directed an effective unit generation, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the wing’s OPLAN 8044 mission taskings and procedures,” observed Dougherty.
Under a simulated wartime environment staged at Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Mich., the 108th ARW was tested in every aspect imaginable for the ORI, which occurs once every five years. The IG team, made up of more than twenty Airmen from Scott AFB, Ill., played the role of inspector and simulated enemy during the week-long exercise.
The Aircrew Generation was praised by the IG for its ability to generate 12 aircrews and two aircrafts ahead of schedule, in addition to their ability to maintain control of the crew throughout the generation process, and their “exceptional knowledge” of OPLAN 8044. Life Support also received accolades for their ability to “maintain and issue Aircrew Chemical Defense Ensembles and providing solid training to aircrews.”
Command Post controllers, who received an Excellent rating under the Mission Support category, were recognized for “demonstrating strong leadership and effectively communicating directives,” as well as “ensuring a timely response to all OPLAN 8044 mission taskings.”
The IG team was also impressed with the Crisis Action Team personnel, noting that the CAT personnel “maintained adequate direction of aircraft, aircrew generation, and mission support activities throughout the inspection,” adding that they “effectively monitored generations activities and alert force actions in response to the United States Strategic Command taskings and Emergency Action Messages.”
Many unit members were individually recognized for their efforts during the ORI. Senior Master Sgt. Michele L. Evans and Master Sgt. Richard S. Kilgore, 108th Maintenance Squadron; Master Sgt. Jennifer D. Noble-Slaton, 108th Communications Flight; Tech. Sgt. Gerald Leone, 141st Air Refueling Squadron; Tech. Sgt. Luis R. Callazo- Morales, 227th Special Operations Flight; Staff Sgt. Israel Carabello, 108th Operations Support Flight; Staff Sgt. Jamero A. Clark, 108th Logistics Readiness Squadron; Staff Sgt. Lauren M. Paul, 108th Services Flight; Senior Airman Carol E. Guzman, 108th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and Senior Airman Jeanie M. Hubbard with the 108th Logistics Readiness Squadron all received coins from the IG team. Capt. Christopher L. Miller, a 108th ARW chaplain, was individually recognized by the IG team. The IG team also recognized the Aircrew Life Support, Aircraft Maintenance, Intelligence Flight, Main Flightline Entry Controller, and North Flightline Entry Controller teams.
“The men and women of the 108th ARW are well trained, highly motivated, and fully equipped,” observed Dougherty.
“Everyone’s hard work, motivation, sense of urgency, and positive attitudes upheld its claim to being America’s Best Refueling Wing. Throughout the past five years, the 108th ARW has proven itself time and time again to be an excellent and outstanding wing,” said Col. Michael L. Cunniff, Commander, 108th ARW.
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Volume 32 Number 4 Staff / Information |
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