Final ORE before coming ORI looks promising

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Austin M. May
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  October's Operational Readiness Inspection is just around the corner, and Team Mildenhall is ready.

According to Senior Master Sgt. Denise Adams, 100th Security Forces Squadron Exercise Evaluation Team, evaluators have been keeping the Airmen participating in the Phase II portion of the exercise busy. She said since this is the last Operational Readiness Exercise before the inspection, this is the time to ensure everyone knows exactly what they need to do in any situation.

Evaluators have collected information from previous exercises to identify weaknesses or areas that need work and have focused on those, Sergeant Adams said. They have also tested areas where Team Mildenhall has demonstrated proficiency to stave off complacency.

Staff Sgt. Daniel Baker, 100th SFS, said he has noticed improvement in the Airmen playing in the exercise, and is confident they will be ready when the inspection team comes knocking.

"We've changed and learned a lot from the last ORE to this one," he said, standing guard at the entry control point of "Base X," the area of RAF Mildenhall dedicated to exercise scenarios.

"We've solidified procedures, learned and added each time we come out here," he added. The sergeant explained any lessons learned in this final exercise before the ORI will likely be taken back to his squadron and reviewed thoroughly.
Sergeant Baker said the EET here hasn't held anything back ensuring the base is ready to be inspected.

"They've been out here asking lots of hard questions," he said. The sergeant explained the knowledge being challenged by EET is of things each Airman being asked should know regardless of whether or not the inspection team tests them.

"This is all good knowledge for our career field," he said. "For example, everything we're doing out here is basic airbase defense."

Chief Master Sgt. Antonio Hickey, 100th Air Refueling Wing command chief, reminded everyone who works on RAF Mildenhall to keep the importance of the inspection in mind.

"The ORI players will represent the entire wing to the inspection team," he said. "Players and non-players alike need to do everything possible to support their fellow Airmen during this time."

The chief said reports indicate the wing is doing significantly better in the current exercise than in past ones.

"As long as we maintain the sense of urgency we've displayed so far, we're in a position to excel during the ORI," he said.