355th FW wraps up Phase II operational readiness exercise

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jake Richmond
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (ACCNS) --  Today, the 355th Fighter Wing here ended its three-day Phase II operational readiness exercise, which began officially at 12:00 a.m. Jan. 13.

Designed and planned by the 355th FW's Inspections, Plans and Programs office, the Phase II ORE practiced the wing's ability to generate combat sorties in a robust deployed environment.

Lt. Col. Francis McDonough, chief of wing inspections, said the exercise was not just intended to replicate the environment in current deployments. Instead, it put participating members in a simulated "full-blown war with a robust enemy." 

As such, Airmen were forced to deal with a constantly changing aggression-intensive environment, including artillery fire, ground assaults, chemical and biological warfare, and aerial attacks.

The ORE purposely put forth scenarios that called on all the wing's organizations and their respective responsibilities.

"We test the operations group's ability to precisely place the correct ordnance on the correct target at the correct time," said Col. Paul T. Johnson, 355th Fighter Wing commander. "We test the Maintenance Group's ability to launch, recover and regenerate large numbers of sorties with proper munitions within demanding time constraints." 

Colonel Johnson also explained how they test the support group's ability to secure the base, move the people, equipment, and fuel, feed, house, clothe, and equip everyone on the base, and ensure adequate and redundant communications across the base. 

He added that they test the medical group's ability to respond to injuries, wounds and illnesses by either expeditiously moving sick and injured from the combat zone or quickly getting them back in the fight.

Some longtime servicemembers, like Tech. Sgt. Roland Cooley of the 355th Maintenance Operation Squadron, saw the ORE as an opportunity to practice well honed skills, while operating with the additional burdens of built-in stress and a lot of extra gear.

"Increased body temperature, restriction of movement and the sense of urgency are the biggest differences," Sergeant Cooley said. "The only way to counteract those things is through practice and experience. That's why we do these exercises."

For other, newer Airmen, it was a different story.

"It's like (Basic Military Training's) Warrior Week - times 100," said Airman 1st Class Davin Richardson of the 355th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

It was Airman Richardson's first ORE experience, and he was assigned to security detail - not his usual LRS duties. Despite some initial struggles, he said he learned some important lessons during the ORE.

"Follow directions to the letter, because it will probably save your life," Airman Richardson said through his gas mask. "And look out for your wingman."

In addition to familiarizing Airmen with a wartime environment, the ORE officially had four primary objectives: Demonstrate proficiency in attack response, demonstrate proficiency in post-attack response (rapidly returning the wing to flying ops), demonstrate proficiency in self-aid and buddy care, and exercise in accordance with 355th FW Plan 9201. Colonel McDonough said all the objectives were accomplished.

"I was pleased," he said. "It went even better than we thought it would. There was definitely a lot of learning going on in the first day or two. The learning curve was steep, but by the third day, people were back in the groove and knew what they needed to do." 

He added that he was also happy that there were no significant safety incidents during the exercise.

Colonel Johnson said he observed some mistakes, but stressed that the ORE is a purposeful learning experience for the wing.

"We had a surprisingly large number of people who have never experienced a Phase II exercise," the commander said. "In those cases, you simply must experience one to understand what it's all about. I expected us to stumble and falter at times, and we did. 

"The hours are long, the pace is hard, the environment is harsh and uncomfortable, and the expectations are high," he added. "In short, an aggressive Phase II Operational Readiness Exercise should be the hardest thing we do. "

Although the end of Phase II probably has some participants ready to rest and relax, both Colonel Johnson and Colonel McDonough emphasized the need to refocus on the Phase I exercise, scheduled to begin Jan. 26 - just 10 days away.

In contrast to the Phase II deployment-environment simulation, Phase I tests the wing's pre-deployment aircraft and personnel mobilization capabilities. Again, several more 355th FW units will need to work together to ensure all simulated deployers have the right training, qualifications and equipment they'll need to travel to the combat zone. Aircraft operators and maintainers will be especially busy, getting the jets themselves ready to go and planning for the first combat mission in-country.

Colonel Johnson has faith that the 355th FW team will rise to the challenge again.

"To quote John Wayne," he said, "'If it was easy, anybody could do it.' Well, it's certainly not easy, but trust me - as Airmen you're not just anybody."