News

Reservists prepare for inspection

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Grant Saylor
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Reserve and active duty Airmen here joined forces in a combat airlift mobility exercise Feb. 9-13, in preparation for an upcoming operational readiness inspection. This is the first of three exercises to prepare the 446th and 62nd Airlift Wings for the ORI in October.
 
During the course of the MOBEX, Airmen responded to a variety of challenges, including simulated enemy attacks, in an effort to evaluate their ability to survive and operate in a combat environment. 

"I think one of the biggest challenges of this MOBEX is knowing your job, doing it well, and maintaining a positive attitude even when things start to go wrong," said Lt. Col. Tony Angelo, the MOBEX Installation Control Center operations chief. 

Colonel Angelo, a pilot with the 728th Airlift Squadron, said he thinks 446th AW Reservists are up to the challenge. 

"From my perspective on the ICC staff, we've exceeded our initial goals," he said. "I think our Reservists are well on track to succeed at the ORI in October." 

Phase 2 for the MOBEX participants will consist of a week-long flyaway exercise to Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Michigan. The Phase 3 flyaway in September will be a final tune-up before the ORI. 

"You just don't get this kind of experience from a textbook," said Senior Airman Juliana Swain, a customer service advisor with the 446th Mission Support Squadron. 

Like a lot of participants, this was Airman Swain's first experience with a MOBEX, and she was impressed by the intensity and fast pace of the exercise. 

"As a Reservist, when you get thrown into an active-duty deployment scenario, it's like, 'Oh yeah, that's where my training comes in,'" said Airman Swain. "So this was really an eye-opening experience from the Reservist standpoint." 

Colonel Angelo said he is encouraged by the results of the first MOBEX, but knows there is still work to do before the first flyaway. 

"We need to focus on personal readiness and ensure that, as individuals, we have the ability to survive and operate in a chemical weapons environment." 

The ORI inspectors will grade Airmen on their career field mission essential task lists, ensuring that Reservists are ready to fly, fight, and win in the world of global combat airlift.