Bird's Eye View: Exercises return this week

  • Published
  • By Col. Bryan J. Gallagher
  • 95th Air Base Wing commander
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  It's been two months since our Operational Readiness Inspection. If you recall, we were told we needed to improve our deployment processing. Since the ORI, we've been working hard to make improvements to the deployment process. 

In the coming weeks, we'll be testing out those refinements with an Emergency Management Exercise and a few Phase I exercises. 

The Emergency Management Exercise will focus on an earthquake scenario -- a very real threat to the base given our proximity to the San Andreas Fault. In fact, since our last earthquake exercise, a low-magnitude quake struck the base. Its epicenter was on Lancaster Boulevard near South Base. 

For the Phase I exercises, we will send two chalks through the deployment processing center to validate the changes we have made. We've worked hard to optimize Phase I, and these exercises will confirm the hard work of the process improvement team. 

As a base, we've spent a great deal of time preparing for the command's Inspector General team to return. You should do the same. Whether or not you are assigned to one of these chalks, take the time to make sure your bags are packed, your gear is inspected, your trainings are up to date, and your paperwork is in order. 

One of our top goals is to deploy combat-ready Airmen. If called upon to deploy without notice, would you be ready? 

Edwards honors volunteers 

We've planned something very special on Thursday for the volunteers working as part of Team Edwards. In the Club Muroc ballroom, we're honoring the people who contribute countless numbers of hours to the base without expecting a paycheck in return. 

Volunteering pays dividends to the people who donates their time. For instance, military members who volunteer time to an organization may find their award packages and performance reports to be very strong when compared to others without that experience. 

Giving your valuable time to an organization or charity needing your help gives you the opportunity to make a positive impact on the community and can be a very rewarding experience.

Police Week starts Monday 

The 95th Security Forces Squadron is one of the busiest squadrons in the Air Force. Not only are they consistently deployed supporting the Global War on Terror, their on-base duties keep their hands full. 

Starting Monday, our Defenders will be participating in a special event called Police Week. Each day, the 95th SFS will host an event designed to bring crime prevention and awareness tips to the Edwards community. 

McGruff the Crime Dog will make guest appearances around the base on Monday. 

A ceremony will be held at the building 1 flagpole Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. followed by a car wash at the High Desert Lanes Bowling Center at 10 a.m. 

Wednesday at noon, security forces will have a weapons and vehicle display at the Base Exchange featuring working dog demonstrations, face painting, child fingerprinting, handouts and another appearance by McGruff. 

Finally, our Defenders will visit Bailey Elementary School on Thursday for a summer safety briefing. 

I'm very proud of the men and women of the 95th SFS for taking the time out of their busy schedules to plan and schedule these events for the Team Edwards community. Be sure to stop by these events and learn more about the great job our Defenders are doing. 

Keep up the fire!