For readers in the mid-Atlantic, starting this week through Monday, August 31, 2009, the 1FW out of Langley will be conducting an Operational Readiness Exercise (ORE).
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- The 1st Fighter Wing will participate in a Phase 1 Operational Readiness Exercise Aug. 26 and 27, designed to establish Langley's expeditionary readiness and efficiency in deploying Airmen.
More than 2,500 Airmen will be involved in the exercise, which will measure the 1 FW's capabilities on graded, step-by-step guidelines which involve preparing aircraft, cargo and Airmen to deploy seamlessly within an established period of time.
"The operational readiness exercise in August is essential to ensure we are primed and prepared for deployment operations," said Col. Matt Molloy, 1 FW Commander. "During this exercise, we will provide our Airmen with opportunities to apply their training, develop new skills and execute the Air Force's mission to fly, fight and win."
The exercise begins with maintainers preparing planes for action by determining capacity, organizing what cargo goes where and readying the aircraft to take Airmen and supplies to an area of responsibility. While maintenance crews work to ensure aircraft readiness, loadmasters plan what cargo goes on a plane and how it is organized.
The planes are then inspected in accordance with exercise standards to ensure they are properly prepared for deployment.
Airmen begin processing through a deployment line which culminates in them boarding the prepared aircraft.
"Medical records, luggage and certifications are all checked in line," said Neale Cummings, 1 FW Exercise Program Manager. "Everything needs to be in order for the process to go smoothly."
Of the Airmen participating, approximately 800 are on "deployable status," which indicates that they will be deploying in the exercise. The remaining personnel will support and facilitate the flow of the operation.
"Everyone needs to put forth maximum effort, including non-deployable Airmen," said Mr. Cummings. "Those who aren't leaving on the plane make as much of an impact as those who are."
This ORE is a Phase One exercise, which tests the preparedness in ramping up and deploying, said Mr. Cummings.
During the exercise, drivers should expect changes in the flow of traffic around base. Security is heightened with increases in force protection condition levels, and some buildings will require increased protection. Part of increased security includes widened building perimeters, which may displace some parking spots. (For instance, in FPCON level Bravo, vehicles need to be at least 82 feet away from essential buildings.)
"Security forces will be out working at gates and on roads, so we anticipate the effects on drivers to be held to a minimum," said Mr. Cummings.
Mr. Cummings said Airmen can prepare for the exercise by getting their affairs are in order, which will expedite the process for everyone. Airmen are encouraged to make sure their vaccinations are up-to-date, all paperwork is completed and bags are packed correctly with all essential items included, such as uniforms and toiletries.
"The more prepared Airmen are before they get in the line, the better we will perform in the exercise," said Mr. Cummings. "The whole point of the inspection is to ensure we're ready to go at a moment's notice, whenever we're needed."
Mr. Cummings added that with diligence and preparation, the graded inspection in February 2010 will be a complete success.
"If Airmen treat this like a real deployment, we will have no problem scoring high marks," he said.
For those of you who are within LOS range, here is the info I had on their TRS that I observed during our last trip to the area.
Systems: APCO P25 9600 baud system
Motorola System ID: 691c
Base Frequency: 406.000 MHz, Spacing: 12.5-kHz, Offset: 380
Frequencies: 406.5500/415.5500 406.7500/415.7500 407.1500/416.1500 407.3625/416.3625c 407.9500/416.9500 408.1625/417.1625c 408.5500/417.5500 408.7500/417.7500c 408.9500/417.9500 409.1500/418.1500 409.3500/418.3500c 409.9500/418.9500
I would also encourage monitors in the area to check out the 380-390 MHz range for a new TRS in the new DoD LMR subband. All reports on the system above and any new systems are most welcomed.
