Wing Airmen prepare for final dress rehearsal before ORI

  • Published
  • By 86th Airlift Wing public affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  As the date for Ramstein's operational readiness inspection fast approaches, 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing Airmen are gearing up for one last dress rehearsal here Aug. 23 to 29.

This operational readiness exercise will build off of eight months of preparation - marking the final of five OREs.

"This is the wings' last chance to hone their skills as an integrated team" said Lt. Col. Joseph Roth, Ramstein Inspections and Readiness chief. "In our first ORE, we practiced the basics. Since then, we've added complexity with each successive ORE to ensure we're ready for the ORI. This is it; pull chocks and prepare to show what these two wings can do."

Since the beginning of the year, Airmen have exercised their ability to respond to contingencies, deployments, major disasters, wartime attacks and increases in force protection measures. Building upon each subsequent exercise scenario, they now prepare for the last opportunity to refine their skills before the ultimate test -- the ORI at the end of September.

""Now is the time to clear up those last minute questions. Don't stop asking until your questions are answered," said Maj. Michael Pontiff, Ramstein Inspections and Readiness deputy chief. "Airmen should practice their skills to exceed, not just achieve, the standards set by evaluators. We need to show we are the best at what we do, we need to be confident and have the right attitude for our final ORE."

To help prepare, wing members are reminded of the following tips for success during the upcoming ORE:

- Have your Airman's Manual available and know it's contents
- Fill out your gas mask inspection cards, have your gas mask fit inside your carrier, and inserts with you
- Have your personal bag packed and mobility gear sized and ready.
- Know your role in the scenario - what is happening and how you fit in the puzzle.
- Ensure you have an up-to-date recall roster available.
- Ensure your mobility folder is current and complete.
- Think safety 24/7, on the job, on the road and on the flightline!
- ALWAYS wear your reflective belt.
- Maintain a healthy diet and sleep pattern throughout the week.
- Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
- Take your CAC with you when you step away from your computer.
- Think OPSEC.
- Know the current force protection condition level and why the base is in that posture.

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For other Kaiserslautern Community Members, please have patience and be prepared for some minor inconveniences, modified and/or limited customer service hours as the wings focus on the mission of readiness.

The following is a comprehensive list of impacted services during the week of Aug. 23 to 29.

- Ramstein/Vogelweh Chapels: Minimum manning through the exercise, however
there is always a chaplain available for real-world emergencies -- contact
Ramstein North Chapel at 480-6148 during normal duty hours and Command Post
at 480-2121 after duty hours.

- Ramstein Legal Office: Emergency legal assistance only. Call 480-5911 for
assistance. Walk-ins will also be seen if emergency assistance is warranted.
The Tax Center will still be open, but customers are encouraged to call area
to ensure availability.

- Public Affairs photo studio: The photo studio, Bldg. 2410, will have
limited services for the duration of the exercise. Call the main Public
Affairs office at 480-9196 if you require emergency assistance for an
official studio appointment.

- Inspector General office: To ensure continued access, the IG office will
temporarily relocate on Aug. 27 to Bldg. 527 for the duration of the
exercise and can be reached at 480-6647 or 86aw.ig@ramstein.af.mil.

- Ramstein SARC: The SARC office will relocate to Ramstein South Chapel
during the exercise. Call 0170-247-1712 for assistance.

- Ramstein Clinic: Delays in service may be experienced. The medical group,
including the dental clinic, will be closed for services at noon Aug. 27.

- Finance: The 86th Comptroller Squadron will be minimally manned. There
will be no cashier/disbursing services provided. Retirements, Separations,
and Debt service will be handled on an emergency basis only. E-mail response
times will be significantly longer than 24 hours. Call the command section
for any emergency issues at 480-4566.

- Military Personnel Flight: Awards and decorations and Evaluations (with
the exception of referral report turn-in to 1st Stop/Classifications) will
be closed Monday through Friday. The ID cards section is open for walk-ins
7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Classifications and 1st Stop will
be minimally manned and will open 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Outbound assignments, formal training, reenlistments and promotions will be
minimally manned and will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Passports will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

- Child Development Center: The CDC will have extended hours Aug. 23 to 27
 from 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Customers requiring extended childcare
outside of these times are encouraged to utilize the extended duty care
program. For more information, call the Family Child Care coordinators at
480-1181.

- Computer Trouble Tickets -- Kaiserslautern Military Community computer
trouble ticket response will be limited to critical/high priority tickets only.

- Post Office -- Ramstein Official Mail service will be intermittent and the
 North Side Post Office Customer Service Window may close temporarily
Aug. 26 to 28. The North Side Post Office Finance section will be reduced
to one window, increasing customer wait times up to approximately 20 minutes.
The Parcel Pick-up window should be unaffected due to volunteers.

- 86th Logistic Readiness Squadron: Inbound/Outbound Cargo & Receiving --
will only be accepting MICAP/999/TP-1 and MRT cargo shipments from for the
duration of the exercise. Contact Chief Master Sgt. Mary Brown-Garner at
480-2125. Passenger travel office -- will only be ticketing customers for
Emergency Leave and short notice TDYs/travel for the duration of the
exercise. Individual Equipment Element and Individual Protective Equipment
will be closed except for real-word deployers. Contact Master Sgt. Jennifer
Stout at 480-2400. Personal Property Processing Offices: the office will be
open 0730-1500 daily for short-notice shipments only due to minimal manning
and higher priority ORE operations. Direct questions to PPPO at
480-5509/2163.

- 86th Vehicle Readiness Squadron: Vehicle Operations Control Center -
Customers requiring transportation related support from these functions
should anticipate delays due to higher priority ORE and real-world aircraft
generating commitments from. For other emergency services, call the VOCC at
480-5961. Vehicle Maintenance: customers should expect delays in service and
longer-than-normal wait times for vehicles awaiting repair due to minimal
manning and ORE operations. Vehicle Management/Fleet Management: customers
should anticipate delays in service due to minimal manning because of higher
priority ORE operations.

- 86th Security Forces Squadron: Pass and ID will be closed during the ORE.
Urgent/Emergency needs can be worked on a case-by-case basis.

-- Flight Records: The 86th Operations Support Squadron HARM (Flight
Records) will have limited manning during the ORE. They will attempt to
maintain the normal office hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4: 30 p.m., but encourage customers to
contact 480-5664 or e-mail 86oss.fltrecords@ramstein.af.mil before visiting
to verify someone will be present to help when you arrive.