Phase II prepares Beale for fall ORI

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Biermann
  • 9th RW Public Affairs
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (ACCNS) --  Various members of the 9th Reconnaissance Wing participated in a Phase II Operational Readiness Exercise held Jan. 13 to 15.

Unlike a Phase I exercise which readies Airmen for a deployment, a Phase II is set in the deployed environment. In this scenario, exercise participants were reassigned from the 9th RW to the 9th Air Expeditionary Reconnaissance Wing set in Southwest Asia. This Phase II was also designed to help prepare Beale Airmen for the fall Operational Readiness Inspection.

"Right now we're practicing for what the ACC Inspector General will put us through in November," said Geoffrey Fischer, 9th RW Plans and Programs analyst. "Each ORE is designed to evaluate all the inspection criteria."

Throughout the first day of the exercise, or transition day, several members of the 9th Civil Engineer Squadron, 9th Security Forces Squadron and 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron prepared for the exercise by completing different exercise-related tasks. Some of these included convoying from one location to another, responding to aircraft hydrazine leaks, rescuing survivors from aircraft crashes and base attacks, and putting out live fires.

"We simulated mortar, missile, aircraft, and ground attacks," Mr. Fischer said. "The simulated attacks were both conventional and chemical and the challenge for the base was continuing the mission no matter what was thrown at it."

Once the exercise was underway, Airmen inprocessed and reported to their respective work areas. They would then complete normal daily tasks, while having to properly respond to various attacks, which were broadcast through various channels, according to officials.

"We also had functional experts evaluate specific work areas on items they'll be required to perform in a wartime environment as part of their specialty - areas we don't get much practice on in a day-to-day basis at Beale," Mr. Fischer said. "The exercises and inspection is meant to test all facets of being a deployed warrior Airman."

Although these exercises may seem mentally and physically taxing at times, Mr. Fischer noted how important the learned lessons are to today's Airmen.

"I hope Beale's warriors never need to use the lessons they've learned during our exercises," Mr. Fischer said. "If they ever do get put in a bad situation, I hope the small amount of time we've spent may save a life and help us win our wars."

Altogether, this exercise established a reference point to help gauge Beale's readiness for the fall inspection.

"I don't think anyone would feel we're ready for the IG at this point," Mr. Fischer said. "As with any inspection the devil is in the details and we're just not at that point yet - especially all the actions personnel need to take to survive and operate in a chemical environment. If the IG were to show up today, Team Beale's positive attitude and mission focus will carry us through. We all have a ways to go before we can earn an 'Outstanding.'"