ORE begins next week Published May 5, 2011 By Lt. Col. Michael Olsen Chief, Wing Plans, Programs and Inspections MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, IDAHO -- Fellow Gunfighters and Gunfighter families, This coming week starting May 9th, we will have our first Phase II Operational Readiness Exercise in over two years. An ORE Phase II is an important part of the 366th Fighter Wing's combat readiness training. We have an exercise like this annually so that our Gunfighter Team can hone its wartime skills in an environment that is as realistic as we can make it. Part of the realism that goes along with this exercise is the simulation of base attacks and the subsequent response of our teams. During this exercise there will be GIANT VOICE announcements of ALARM conditions and there may be small and large explosions heard occasionally in association with these announcements. The announcements and explosions are important in setting the tone for the exercise. All exercise announcements will be prefaced with "EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE", to avoid confusing them with real world events. Another aspect of making this exercise realistic is the long hours our exercise players will work. During the exercise, hardworking Gunfighter warriors will be working around the clock in a high tempo setting. It's only 3-4 days of high tempo, but it can still try one's patience as we perform 24-hour operations. Just as when they are deployed, exercising Gunfighters will need support at home as they try to catch up on sleep or unwind after spending hours in an exercise setting. As exercise planners, we greatly appreciate the support and understanding of all Gunfighter Families during this exercise. The role you play is vital to the success of this important training. Thank you for supporting the Gunfighter mission.