News

Wing prepares for operational readiness inspection

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Grant Saylor
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  More than 300 Reservists from the 446th Airlift Wing are gearing up for the Oct 25-Nov.1 operational readiness inspection, kicking off with a local mobility exercise scheduled for Feb. 9-13 at McChord AFB. 

The MOBEX is designed to familiarize Reservists with the prospect of working under adverse conditions, such as a chemical attack, and is part of the build up for the ORI. Inspectors from Air Mobility Command will evaluate Reservists responses to the wartime scenario. 

"The MOBEX is critical preparation for the ORI," said Lt. Col. Richard Poston, the 97th Airlift Squadron chief pilot and wing ORI point of contact. "This exercise is an opportunity for us to find any problem areas in our emergency implementation plan." 

The 446th AW will join forces with the 62nd AW during February's MOBEX. Then, in May, they will commence a fly-away to Alpena Air National Guard Base in Alpena, Mich. Once there, they will work side by side with the 319th Air Refueling Wing from Grand Forks AFB, N.D. 

For those Reservists participating in the MOBEX and ORI, it is especially important to keep individual mobility folders up-to-date, and unit deployment managers have been working to ensure that all participants are current in their training. 

"If mobility folders aren't up to date, it has a huge impact on whether we get a passing or failing grade on the ORI," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeanmarie Kautzman, UDM for the 446th Mission Support Group and Mission Support Squadron. 

Chief Kautzman stresses the importance of communicating with your UDM. 

"Things such as promotions, retirements, or new ID cards should be reported to your UDM as soon as possible," said Chief Kautzman. 

Chief Kautzman said Reservists should embrace the opportunity to train as if they're actually getting deployed. 

"Take a genuine interest in what mobility is all about, not just during this MOBEX, but every day." 

Her advice will be put to the test when ORI inspectors from Air Mobility Command pull out their red pens in October.