Team Ramstein preps for upcoming ORI

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Grovert Fuentes-Contreras
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
FLUGPLATZ BITBURG, Germany --  Ramstein Airmen from the 435th Air Ground Operations Wing and 86th Airlift Wing are participating in an Operational Readiness Exercise here, May 17-23.

This is the third of five OREs conducted by the wings, which are designed to prepare Team Ramstein for an upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection scheduled for September.

"It is important to us that we contribute to the Team Ramstein effort," said Col. Timothy Brown, 435th Contingency Response Group commander. "Both the 435th AGOW and 86th AW have to perform in a strong partnership for each to succeed."

To better prepare their Airmen, the two units are participating in simulated situations, testing their ability to maintain combat readiness and accomplish the CRG's mission to
open airfields in austere locations.

"During this exercise, we are responding to a humanitarian situation in another European country," Colonel Brown said of the exercise scenario. "We are here on behalf of the U.S. government to lend whatever assistance we can."

Airmen of the 435th AGOW began their week-long training by parachuting into an airfield near Bitburg, Germany, the location chosen to simulate a disaster area. Once the jumpers were safely on the ground, they surveyed the airfield to ensure landing capabilities would allow cargo aircraft to land and support the simulated humanitarian relief mission.

Once the airfield assessment was complete, it was time to build a base from the bottom up, said Capt. Cassandra Bates, 435th Security Forces Squadron operations officer. "We then set up tents, security and everything it takes to build a base from scratch."

In addition, Airmen from the 1st Combat Communications Squadron installed wiring to establish communications from the deployed area to their home unit.

Strength, knowledge, and hustle are important aspects in any CRG operation, but the most important lesson to reinforce in the exercise was teamwork. More than 100 people, from 30-plus Air Force Specialty Codes and three wings worked together to accomplish their mission.

"Teamwork is huge, and the mission will not get done if we're not all working together," said Captain Bates. "We all realize that, so it's great."

Although this exercise prepares Airmen for the ORI, many of them will walk away with many more skills than they may have expected. Each Airman also gets the chance to increase their expeditionary skills, helping prepare them for any unexpected real-world deployment.

"We've been on several of these exercises, but every time there is a specific detail that we can sharpen a little more," said Staff Sgt. Will Rodgers, 435th Air Mobility Squadron air transportation technician. "This ORE focuses a lot on the mobility aspect of my job and those skills that are unique to my career field."

The 86th AW and 435th AGOW will be participating in two more OREs between now and August of 2010.