Gunfighters prepare for upcoming ORE

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Gunfighters will get the chance to practice their wartime mission during a Phase II exercise.

The 366th Fighter Wing's operation readiness exercise runs from April 6 to 10. When the exercise begins, Gunfighters simulate they have been deployed to Base X for 30 days with hostilities for three days.

The wing uses April 6 as a transition day to transform the "play area" into its wartime mode with the Phase II starting the evening of April 6. Flying operations start April 7 and will continue through April 9.

Exercise planners will send out reminders to ensure all players process through the base theater before entering their respective play areas. This transition area allows people to don their gear and familiarize themselves with current combat conditions.

"The wing uses these exercises to gauge the 366th FW's ability to meet wartime taskings at a deployed location," said Master Sgt. Stuart Smith, 366th Fighter Wing Plans and Programs assessment branch superintendant. "The evaluation includes initial response, employment readiness, combat employment, ability to survive and operate, self aid and buddy care and mission support."

"While exercise requirements remain similar to last year's operational readiness inspection and all the previous exercises, there are differences," said Sergeant Smith.

Beginning April 6 at 6 p.m., all exercise players must park in designated player parking areas near the base theater, Holt Park and the Gunfighter Club. Vehicles aren't permitted in the Communications Squadron parking lot next to the base theater since this area remains reserved for the exercise shuttle busses. Chapel and child development center parking lots are also off limits to players.

Authorized non-players may park in designated areas within the play area or ride the shuttle busses to and from their work centers.

Mandatory ORE briefings will be held one to two weeks prior to the ORE. The dates of those briefings will be given in a follow up article.