Summer fun is over, time for an exercise, inspection Published Aug. 18, 2009 By Senior Airman Patrick Cabellon 446th Airlift Wing public affairs MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Sure, the weather is great right now. But Summer is just about over. The air will begin to bite, clouds will soon move in, rainfall will start to again be measured in inches, and an Operational Readiness Exercise and an Operational Readiness Inspection will be here before you know it. The 446th Airlift Wing here will be getting ready for the upcoming ORE slated for Sept. 11-18 and the ORI scheduled for Oct. 25 to Nov. 1. Lt. Col. Richard Poston, 446th AW lead ORI planner and Lt. Col. Tony Angello, 446th Operations Group ORI planner give some pointers on the upcoming exercise and inspection to help Airmen achieve success. Airmen must check to see if their training records and deployment folders are current. Being current includes making sure your physical readiness test is up to date; chemical, biological, radiation, nuclear and explosive training is good to go; security clearance and military passport are fresh; and weapons familiarization training is current. Also, read through the Airman's Manual, said Colonel Poston. Everyone needs to have individual readiness," stressed Colonel Angello. "Airmen need to have job competency - know how to do your job!" There will (or may) be times where Airmen find themselves performing their job in mission oriented protective posture level four, so understand what that entails. Knowledge of the use of the M-16 service rifle is vital as well. "(Airmen) better be ready to do their job in full MOPP gear and you should know how to use the M-16. Knowing how to use the weapon is essential; you will be engaged," said Colonel Angello. "Just be ready to employ your weapon," said Colonel Poston. One thing which will be different is the use of the word "exercise." "Exercise, exercise, exercise," will no longer be stated at the beginning and end of announcements and communication, said Colonel Poston. The reason "exercise" will not be used is to make the ORE and ORI a more immersive scenario, said Colonel Angello. A way to stay on top of the ORE and ORI is to read up on the rules. "Dig into the ORI ground rules," said Colonel Poston. "Be familiar with your ground rules as they pertain to your job." "One way people can look at the ORI is that it is a game," said Colonel Angello. "Every game has rules, the Air Mobility Command inspector general lays down the rules for the ORE and ORI. Know the rules of the game and study up on the simulations and limitations specific to your job." Simulations and limitations are specific rules catered toward an Airman's Air Force Specialty Code. "If you study up on the rules and the more specific 'sims and lims' of your particular AFSC, theoretically you can play the game and win," exclaimed Colonel Angello. Airmen should also study up on their job specific Mission Essential Tasking List, said Colonel Poston. METLs are items the IG will grade each unit training code on against a standard they are looking for. More information can be found online on the 446 AW Sharepoint Web page, by clicking on the "ORI" tab at the top of the page.