ORE wrap up, lessons learned

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Ellsworth Airmen recently engaged in an operational readiness exercise, July 9 to 12, designed to test the base's ability to meet wartime and contingency operations.

The ORE covered a variety of base tasks, including employing and sustaining forces, mobilizing and processing equipment and maintaining the ability to survive and operate in a deployed location.

Rick Schroeder, 28th Bomb Wing installation deployment officer - who was responsible for the execution of the Phase I portion of the exercise - said he and his team processed more than 231 passengers and 200 tons of cargo through the Deployment Center.

"Our team consisted of 200 people split between day and night shift," Schroeder said. "Our job was to execute the entire deployment operation, maintain personnel accountability and keep the installation control center informed of our progress."

Schroeder said his participation in the exercise extended beyond just the Phase I portion, but that the Deployment Center staff was also responsible for issuing base personnel with mission oriented protective posture (MOPP) gear for the Phase II portion of the exercise.

In addition to being Ellsworth's first Phase II exercise since October 2010, this ORE was a first in incorporating new Air Combat Command inspector general direction for combined Phase I and Phase II inspections.

Airman 1st Class Matthew Sinnemaki, 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator, was responsible for shuttling Airmen who were processing through the Pride Hangar to their work centers.

"We've been practicing operating in a deployed environment that's under hazardous conditions and possible chemical attacks," Sinnemaki explained. "This ORE was meant to fine-tune our skills and make sure we're ready to deploy. I feel like it helped me get a better idea of what threats I may face downrange."

Schroeder added that his focus is now on improving on the areas that leadership have identified as less than perfect.

"I feel we did extremely well," Schroeder emphasized. "We got things done on time and made sure we did so accurately and safely. I think this exercise was definitely crucial to our base's upcoming ORI (Operational Readiness Inspection)."