Wing meets Phase 1 ORE objectives

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Josh Moshier
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Ellsworth wrapped up its Badlands Express Phase 1 Operational Readiness Exercise March 7, and exercise officials expressed their satisfaction with the results. 

According to Lt. Col. Timothy Torpey, 28th Bomb Wing chief of wing plans, the wing met its objectives and accomplished the desired result of training and educating exercise participants in the new Air Combat Command Inspector General template for Phase 1 Operational Readiness Inspections. 

"We know how to deploy," Colonel Torpey said. "But the inspector general has different criteria for how to accomplish that. Our intent for this exercise was to re-focus on Air Force Instruction 90-201 and re-introduce the wing to the processes expected for a Phase 1 ORI." 

Col. Jeffry Smith, 28th BW commander, drove that point home. 

"We're not preparing to deploy," Col. Smith said. "We're preparing to deploy in accordance with AFI 90-201." 

The commander said because the wing hasn't participated in a Phase 1 ORE of this magnitude in more than two years, mistakes were acceptable and expected. 

"It's OK if we make mistakes," he said. "That's why we do this - to identify mistakes and make the necessary improvements." 

Over the course of the five-day exercise, the wing processed 272 tons of cargo and 451 passengers on simulated deployments to separate locations. According to Mr. Rick Schroeder, 28th BW installation deployment officer, the wing was specifically interested in four of the processes that make that happen. 

"We formed four separate process improvement teams in the months prior to the ORI," Mr. Schroeder said. "One looked at the passenger terminal process, another looked at the mobility bag issuing process, a third team looked at the passenger deployment function, and the fourth team examined the hot cargo process." 

Those teams' efforts were rewarded with results. Passenger terminal processing times were reduced to one-fourth of previous times, and the mobility bag issuing time was also reduced. A team is still working on improvements for the passenger deployment function, and the hot cargo process is focused on safety and timing. 

"We're on track and very pleased with our progress," Colonel Torpey said. "Attitudes are good and people are learning, including (exercise evaluation team) members."
While the results were encouraging, this was only the first test on the road to a final exam in November's scheduled ORI. 

"The only way we're going to make this ORI a success is to practice, practice, practice," Mr. Schroeder said. "What's really important is to keep the same players from exercise to exercise and through the ORI. The amount of training and preparation involved is incredible. We want the most fully trained and experienced mobility machine we can possibly have going in to the ORI."