NORI: hard work pays off

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman La'Shanette V. Garrett
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  After three Nuclear Operational Readiness Exercises, the 2d Bomb Wing passed their Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection with an overall Satisfactory rating.

The exercises provided an opportunity to evaluate Barksdale's ability to execute mission requirements and hone the necessary skills needed to perform safely and effectively. It took an enormous amount of planning and teamwork to execute every aspect of the inspection.

"The NOREs were absolutely instrumental to the success of the Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection," said Col. Steven Basham, 2d Bomb Wing commander. "The length of time since our last NORI made the exercises essential to ensuring all Airmen in the wing were working together with synchronized focus and understanding of our nuclear mission."

The inspection spanned 10 days with 24-hour operations. This included maintaining aircraft, securing critical assets, processing personnel and cargo, responding to and launching alert aircraft, running command post operations, feeding and bedding down the troops and many other critical tasks.

"Team Barksdale's performance was excellent," said Maj. Harry Dyson, 2d BW director of staff. "Every member of the team went out and gave it their all, they didn't let up despite thunderstorms and sweltering black-flag working conditions. It's the unwavering dedication to the mission from each and every Airman involved in the inspection that enabled us to succeed."

Major Dyson also stated that the key to the 2d BW's overall success was the positive "can do" attitude of everyone that participated in the inspection. It would have only taken one person with a poor attitude to make a critical error and cause the wing to fail. Despite being tired from the back to back exercises, everyone in the wing gave it their personal and professional best effort.

"I have no doubt that positive attitude and professionalism were the keys to our success!" he continued.

To celebrate the completion of the inspection, Colonel Basham invited team Barksdale and their families out to Hoban Hall to pause and reflect on the accomplishments of the last seven months.

The celebration kicked off with a slide show. Awards were handed out to individuals and teams for their superior performance and the event ended with a hot dog and burger burn.

"I could not be more proud of this team that came together and proved once again that they know how to perform the mission of the 2d BW," stated Colonel Basham. "With the inspections behind us, we can now turn to the much needed training and process improvements that are essential for the future success of the 2d BW."