Combat Gunfighters: Ready to Deploy

  • Published
  • By Airman Samuel Anderson
  • 366th Fighter Wing public affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Gunfighters participated in a Phase I Operational Readiness Exercise Nov. 19 to 23 in an effort to ensure the base is ready for a deployment when called upon.

A Phase I ORE measures tests participant's initial response, readiness, combat operations, self-aid and buddy care, and mission support skills.

While this exercise only simulated a deployment, Airmen went through many of the same processes they would if it was a real deployment.

Airmen prepared their mobility bags prior to in-processing the personnel deployment function line and attended several agency briefings including legal, intelligence, public health, chaplain and public affairs.

"The exercise not only helps prepare Gunfighters for their deployments but it also helps us gauge our processes and see where we need to improve," said Capt. Sarah Flackus, 366th Force Support Squadron and PDF officer-in-charge.

Many Airmen said they learned valuable lessons from the exercise and realized the importance of "practicing how you play."

"I haven't been deployed yet, but this gives me a good idea on how a pre-deployment might feel," said Senior Airman Andrew Cisneros, 366th Force Support Squadron. "The PDF line and the different briefings were very helpful."

According to Senior Master Sergeant Sandra Baird, 391st Aircraft Maintenance Unit assistant noncommissioned officer-in-charge, the Airmen assigned to the 391st AMU generated 18 aircraft within 72 hours based on an exercise tasking to deploy 12 aircraft to a simulated deployed location within 3 days of notification.

Fifteen aircraft were launched to ensure 12 aircraft arrived ready to perform the simulated mission. In a real world tasking, the air spares would return to base after the first in-flight re-fueling. In the exercise world, the aircraft usually fly long enough to thoroughly check all systems and those aircraft which fly the best land at the simulated deployed location.

In this exercise scenario, the 389th AMU was simulated deployed and they recovered 12 aircraft then re-generated the aircraft for combat. The re-generation is all about getting the aircraft ready for the first combat mission. Aircraft are given a thru-flight inspection, re-fueled and bombs are loaded within 12 hours of being parked at the deployed location. Any pilot reported discrepancies which would prevent the aircraft from performing its mission must also be repaired within the 12 hours.

Airmen worked under the pressure of time constraints and shifting maintenance priorities based on aircraft maintenance requirements. And, they did this during the first real cold winter storm of the season.

"Overall, the morale was good even though the weather was bad," said Senior Master Sergeant Baird. "Everyone exhibited a can-do attitude and sense of urgency which are a key to success."