Barksdale prepares for readiness inspection

  • Published
  • By Airman Allison M. Boehm
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale's phase one conventional operational readiness exercise wrapped up Jan. 14. 

The three-day long exercise's objective was to accomplish the movement of more than 900 Barksdale personnel and over 10 tons of equipment in preparation for the upcoming inspection. 

"This was a test of our capability to perform within certain timeliness," said Col. Robert Wheeler, 2d Bomb Wing commander. "The CORE allows us to demonstrate our capabilities to transition from immediate peace time to immediate war time configuration. It encompasses all of the Logistic Readiness Squadron which tells us how to move all the cargo, people and all the equipment associated with the exercise." 

This exercise was the first of four COREs that allow Airmen to practice before the official Air Combat Command conventional operational readiness inspection in March. 

"In this particular case, we were demonstrating a certain number of aircraft that have to be brought up and flown to a forward operating location," said Colonel Wheeler. 

In addition, during the phase-one CORE, personnel also focus on ensuring Airmen are fully deployable. Simulated deployments were demonstrated by Airmen participating in a processing line, where they ensure deployment checklists are properly completed. Airmen also take part in a 'bag drag' where deployment bags are compiled and loaded simulating pre-deployment tasks. 

The unit deployment manager also plays a vital role in the exercise. Master Sgt. Joseph Ingram, 2d Bomb Wing unit deployment manager, acted as focal points for assembling and preparation of 48 2dBW staff personnel and equipment for deployment to four different Air Expeditionary Force locations. 

Every detail of pre-deployment is practiced during the exercise. 

Although leadership recognizes mistakes were made during the exercise, they are focusing on how to improve flaws for the upcoming phase two exercise where Airmen will continue to demonstrate their ability to deploy on a moment's notice. 

"The lessons that we learned out of this particular exercise will be plowed back into subsequent exercises and I'll push us further down the field to be more outstanding and ready," said Colonel Wheeler. "The plan was not perfect when we went in and we knew that, but this was an empirical test of that plan." 

"We found those flaws in the plans that created unnecessary stressors," said Colonel Wheeler. "It is a harsh look, it's a tough inspection. This was our first full operational major exercise and we have work to do in several categories." 

As Barksdale prepares for the next CORE scheduled for Jan. 30, advice is given to help complete the required mission. 

"More involvement is needed from wing, group and unit leadership to provide all personnel with the tools and resources to accomplish the Barksdale mobility commitment," said Sergeant Ingram. "Personnel need to be more proactive and aggressive in understanding the process responsible for the movement of personnel and equipment. Become more familiar with the Barksdale Air Force Base Installation Deployment Plan and respective Technical Operational orders." 

According to Colonel Wheeler, there are a lot of good examples of some extremely capable folks during the exercise. "We have some areas that we have to work on and we plan on doing that in the future," he said. 

The conventional operational readiness inspection is scheduled for March 2009.