McChord Reservists ready for ORI

Published Sept. 11, 2011
By Staff Sgt. Grant Saylor
446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing took to the 'deployment line' on September 10-11 to participate in an operational readiness exercise in preparation for next year's operational readiness inspection.

Airmen from multiple career fields participated in this exercise, working side by side with their active duty partners from the 62nd Airlift Wing. Three other such OREs are planned for next year leading up to the ORI, one in February at McChord Field and two flyaways that will take place, one in May and the other in September. The planning and preparation will give Reservists here a chance to clear up any discrepancies in training to ensure they are ready for the upcoming inspection, and more importantly, for worldwide deployment.

During this particular exercise, mobility folders were checked and re-checked to ensure compliance in all required areas. The participating Reservists were assigned to a chalk, and reported to the deployment processing center where they were briefed on the specifics of their mission and issued deployment bags. The OREs help to ensure Airmen are ready to deploy worldwide at a moment's notice.

"We always play to win, and the American people expect nothing less from us," said Lt. Col. William Pelster, 446th Force Support Squadron commander.

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