354 FW, 168 ARW join forces during exercise

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Shad Eidson
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  The combined operational readiness exercise between the 354th Fighter Wing and the 168th Air combat Wing began Nov. 1 and ended Nov. 5, with both wings working in conjunction to prove they are ready, mobile and prepared to execute operations. 

Wing forces were recalled the morning of Nov. 1, accompanied by Guardsmen of the 168th Air Refueling Wing, and began an intense, short-notice deployment process to counteract hostilities and promote stability in the Pacific region. 

This is the fourth time both wings have joined together for such an exercise, said Lt. Col. Derek Dill, 354th Fighter Wing Inspector General. 

"The intent is to foster cooperation between Eielson's active duty and Air National Guard communities against the backdrop of shared wartime missions -- deployment of outbound forces, reception of inbound forces, and home-station tanker air bridge operations," the colonel said. 

This combined exercise is also designed to prepare both wings for a combined operational readiness inspection, scheduled for May 2009. 

OREs serve two primary purposes -- training and validation, Colonel Dill said. The exercise documents strengths as well as areas that can be improved. 

"These exercises provide Team Eielson with large-scale training opportunities with respect to critical war-time functions and processes," he said. "They permit validation of our reported war-time capabilities as well as provide the opportunity to physically demonstrate that these capabilities are being accurately reported." 

From the first day of the exercise, exercise situations increased security measures, which helped Airmen protect against threats while also allowing them to accomplish the mission objectives. 

Airmen with both wings have launched aircraft sorties and deployed cargo and Airmen to a forward operation base, while also responding to other events on base. Despite a simulated hostage situation, a protest demonstration and real weather conditions, the operational mission was completed every day. 

"As the exercise has progressed, I have seen every section improve from the previous day and continue to execute the mission," said Col. Michael Jordon, 354th Fighter Wing vice commander.