Deployment readiness focus of base exercise

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Alessandra N. Gamboa
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Airmen from across the base participated in a phase I operational readiness exercise, March 14 to 16, which tested their ability to generate, deploy and regenerate B-1B aircraft along with personnel and cargo.

This was the first base-wide exercise the 28th Bomb Wing conducted since the phase II operational readiness inspection last fall.

Col. Jeffrey Taliaferro, 28th BW commander, said that every Airman plays a role in this type of vital exercise.

"Phase I OREs require a much broader view," Colonel Taliaferro said. "No one is outside the area; every office, every Airman, every folder is included in the exercise and available for inspection."

Rick Schroeder, 28th BW installation deployment officer and ORE coordinator, added that the focus of this exercise, one of several planned for the year, was preparation for the ORI scheduled to take place April 23 to 27, 2012.

"This exercise was an excellent training opportunity for every part of the deployment machine," Mr. Schroeder said. "The lessons learned in processing cargo and personnel will help us immensely to prepare for the June ORE."

Airman Precilla Lawrence, 28th BW Judge Advocate military justice paralegal, said she found her first experience participating in a base exercise both educational and helpful. She provided administrative support to the 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron in the Deployment Control Center.

"I thought this first ORE was beneficial for me, and other new Airmen, to help prepare us for future OREs and the ORI next April," she said. "I gained the experience of knowing what other Airmen do to support the mission and how we deploy."

Mr. Schroeder encourages Airmen to continue making each exercise more successful than the one before by taking the lessons they learn and applying their new knowledge and experience to the exercises which follow.

"Our continued emphasis on disciplined processes and procedures will pay huge dividends," Colonel Taliaferro said.