ORE provides learning opportunities

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anania Tekurio
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Ellsworth leadership gained critical lessons learned after conducting an operational readiness exercise last month, evaluating the Wing's ability to execute contingency operations in a chemical environment.

The training exercise evaluated installation units that support the operational mission at Ellsworth, including aircraft maintenance, base defense, damage assessment, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High Yield Explosives (CBRNE) reconnaissance, logistical and vehicle support, mortuary affairs, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, and fire support. 

Each ORE offers an opportunity to hone Ellsworth aircrews' skills, as well as the abilities of aircraft maintainers and supporting agencies - personnel who continue to conduct B-1 bomber missions as they would in a deployed environment. This type of training helps assess the Airmen's execution of missions against fixed and dynamic targets in a medium to high-risk threat environment.

"Flying and maintenance operations received and executed air tasking orders with the end point being executing bombs on target [and] on time," said Master Sgt. Ryan Wheaton, 28th Bomb Wing Inspector General Inspection team manager.  "The 28th Operations Group also introduced complex Small Force Exercise and Large Force Exercises events into the ORE to evaluate Mission Planning Cell and aircrew performance."  

Several aircraft participated in the training including Airborne early Warning and Control Systems from the 552nd Air Control Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, O.K., F-16s from the 114th Fighter Wing, South Dakota Air National Guard, Sioux Falls, S.D., F-15 Eagles from the 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, I.D., B-52 Stratofortress' from 5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, N.D., and KC-135's from the 151th Air Refueling Group, Salt Lake City, U.T.

Airmen in a variety of non-aviation roles also conducted active, hands-on training spanning many different tasks to ensure the success of B-1 bomber missions. 

"Exercise participants were responsible to execute their ability to survive and operate (ATSO)," said Wheaton. "This involved reacting to alarm conditions, mission oriented protection posture levels and post attack actions all while still executing the mission." 

Wheaton added that lessons learned during the exercise have already benefited the Wing and will continue to serve as building blocks to current operations as well as future training.

"Identifying a problem and taking the initiative to find a solution is key to a successful ORE," said Wheaton. "Also, remaining focused and having a good attitude are [equally] vital."

Senior Master Sgt. David Darling, 28th BW Inspector General Inspection team superintendent, said the 90 wing inspection team members acted as subject matter experts, all assigned by squadron commanders to evaluate and assess the exercise. 

"IGI's objective was to observe and document deficiencies and inefficiencies with processes performed in executing the mission. WIT members were the key to conduct[ing] a thorough inspection," said Darling. "We will take the lessons learned from this exercise and focus on how to improve daily operations and real world deployments."

In supporting the B1- bomber mission at home and abroad, OREs allow Ellsworth to bridge the gap between training and real world so that Airmen and Air Force assets can successfully join the fight.