McConnell completes ORE

  • Published
  • By Airman Armando Schwier-Morales
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --   In preparation for the upcoming 2011 Operation Readiness Inspection, McConnell held an Operational Readiness Exercise 10-1, Phase I, May 18 to 20.

The exercise tested the base's capability to process and deploy Airmen, cargo and aircraft in a short time frame.

"We will be preparing for the ORI next year by starting with smaller steps," said Capt. Leah Vanagas, 22nd Air Refueling Wing inspections chief. "We are demonstrating our ability as a wing to gather our forces and equipment while also being able to deploy to a forward operating location."

To prepare, Airmen from a variety of career fields processed through a mobility line accomplishing all the required steps to deploy.

To facilitate the deployment, many squadrons at McConnell conducted 24-hour operations to process approximately 200 Airmen, while other Airmen to performed augmentee duties for 22nd Security Forces or helped the 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron transport and package more than 187 short tons of cargo.

"Ready Airmen is what the ORE showcased and McConnell displayed this when our people were out and about physically processing Airmen," said Captain Vanagas. "By doing this, our Airmen not only showcased that our equipment is ready; our personnel are ready, trained and have the equipment needed to be processed in a timely manner to get them to the [deployed locations] where they are needed."

According to Col. Jamie Crowhurst, 22nd Air Refueling wing commander, McConnell excels at moving Airmen and cargo in smaller numbers, but the ORE tested the bases readiness and ability to rapidly mobilize as a wing.

"What we're focusing on now as we look toward the October 2011 ORI is the opportunity for us to deploy as a large group to a simulated field overseas," said Colonel Crowhurst. "This will require a lot of practice that we can develop during these exercises."

Despite the challenges presented by the ORE, Colonel Crowhurst expressed his gratitude of the optimism put forth by the Airmen participating in the exercise.

"What I'm really proud of is how our Airmen overcame challenges presented by the ORE and their ability to work on our key priority of being Ready Airmen," he said. "Our Airmen will continue to think about how they can improve our processes while continuing to be the Ready Airmen I know they are."

According to Captain Vanagas, McConnell will undergo at least four more OREs before the ORI scheduled in October 2011.