Team Edwards preps for no notice inspections with ORE

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William O'Brien
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Edwards Inspector General and Plans and Programs staff agencies ensured the readiness of all units across the installation with exercise bomb threats, heightened security levels and building evacuations June 22 - 24.

"Just like any exercise, we  are preparing for real life situations," said David Bookrum, Installation Exercise Program manager. "Exercises test our real life plans and ensure we're capable of responding to a real life crisis."

The base wide Operational Readiness Exercise tested the capability of base personnel to react to crises and deployment scenarios.

"If 'an ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching'," said Col. Jerry L. Gandy, 95th Air Base Wing commander, "then the series of exercises we went through this week provided some much needed 'ounces' of practice to ensure that we can execute our 'tons' of instructions well when we are called to respond to various situations."

Phase one of the exercise was held to prepare base personnel for different situations that could occur on base.

"We tested base resource security measures with flight line incursions, dumpster diving and [Force Protection Condition] levels," said Mr. Bookrum. "FPCONs included anti-terrorism aspects; which were also tested by the bomb threat and suspicious device evacuations done at Base Operations and the Child Development Center."

Phase two of the exercise focused on Airmen's familiarity and ability to execute various deployment skills and functions.

"We tested them on their ability to get in and out of [Mission Oriented Protective Posture] gear, their self-aid and buddy care skills, weapons familiarization and explosive ordnance reconnaissance abilities," said Mr. Bookrum. 

These exercises are designed to help Edwards Airmen when they deploy, they're also intended to prepare base personnel for Unit Compliance Inspections, which are now held with little notice.

"We have transitioned in AFMC to limited or no-notice inspections, said Colonel Gandy. "Here at AFFTC, we are meticulous about our role in executing developmental test for our nation, since the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Much like the test points that we verify each day, our exercises are designed to ensure our vigilance in responding to real-world events, thus keeping us prepared for the transition to the new inspection construct."

Colonel Gandy  was pleased with the base's crisis response, as well as the execution of various deployment readiness drills. However, he noted an area for improvement as well.

"This week's exercise provided a great bellwether for us to gauge our readiness," the colonel said. "Overall, we had some very positive feedback on our readiness and found some areas that need improvement, such as our ability to effectively communicate across the base. While we strive for continuous improvement, these exercises showed that we are tracking well. To this end, we continue to fine tune our exercise requirements, while setting, achieving and sustaining high standards of readiness through our tailored and rigorous training and exercise program."