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621st CRW, 21st AMOS complete first ORI

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachel Martinez
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  The 621st Contingency Response Wing and the 21st Air Mobility Operations Squadron completed their first Operational Readiness Inspection with flying colors last week.
During an out-brief at the base theater Wednesday, the Air Mobility Command Inspector General team announced that the 621st CRW and 21st AMOS received an overall rating of Excellent on their ORI. 

The ORI, which ran from March 13-22, kicked off for the 21st AMOS with ability to survive and operate skill evaluation. The 21st AMOS was also asked to put together a presentation for a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives exercise. As the subject matter experts for command and control of air mobility assets in theater, the 21st AMOS presented the IG with how they would conduct command and control in a contaminated environment for the CBRNE exercise. 

"The CBRNE exercise was the first time that was done," said Lt. Col. Vikki Ellison, 21st AMOS director of operations. "We did something that hadn't been done before and the IG said that we exceeded their expectations." 

Together, the 621st CRW and the 21st AMOS responded to the initial response phase. The 621st CRW and the 21st AMOS were tasked to process 250 people and 275 short tons of cargo. 

"The initial response went exceptionally well," said Colonel Ellison. "Everything that was in our control was accomplished on-time or ahead of time. From the wing commander on down, everyone was spot on perfect." 

Next, the 621st CRW deployed the 816th Contingency Response Group to the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center in Mississippi. The 21st AMOS previously completed this portion of the ORI in September 2006 while participating in Austere Challenge. At Gulfport, the CRW was tasked with opening up an air base where they were then tested on their ATSO skills. After successfully opening the air base, they began to receive follow-on forces made up of units from active-duty units from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and guard units from Rhode Island and Texas. After handing off the air base, the CRG members began their redeployment back to McGuire. 

"When you go into an ORI everyone was very nervous and tension-filled," said Lt. Col. Scott Gericke, 816th Global Mobility Squadron commander and the contingency response element commander at Gulfport. "You don't know what the IG is going to throw at you, or in our case, what the weather is going to throw at you." 

Four aircraft were scheduled to transport the 119 deployers and cargo, but two were delayed a day due to weather conditions. 

"When the first two planes got there we immediately got to work," said Colonel Gericke. "We readjusted to compensate for the two delayed planes and we were able to function, with limited capability, for the next 24 hours until the other two planes arrived."
This flexibility impressed the IG team and Colonel Gericke. 

"The dedication our guys showed in all the preparation and getting the work done really honed our skills so that when the inspectors saw us we knocked their socks off," said Colonel Gericke. "The 'git-er-done' attitude everyone had really made things happen and made us feel like we could succeed. That type of thing is really impressive." 

To help prepare for a successful first ORI, both units conducted various kinds of training. The 621st CRW participated in several initial response exercises with the 305th Air Mobility Wing. To train for the opening of an air base, 621st CRW members attended Eagle Flag training on Fort Dix. They also practiced opening an air base with one of their vacant buildings, using the area around it as the 'play area.' A fly-away operational readiness exercise was conducted in January with the other participating units. 

"We conducted a lot of in-house training as well," said Maj. Deborah Rey, 621st CRW plans and programs. "Our commander implemented 'battle rattle' Wednesdays beginning in January. We had to wear MOPP 2 and all our 'battle rattle' -- flack vest, helmet, everything. It was to get people in the mindset that we have a mission, and we are going to do well on the ORI." 

The 21st AMOS spent several months training as well. Training and preparation included squadron runs, ATSO exercises and several exercises with the 621st CRW.
All the training paid off as was evident during the out-brief. The following individuals were recognized during the out-brief as outstanding performers: Maj. Frank Huhn, Maj. Mark Wasser, Tech. Sgt. Robert McNair, Staff Sgt. Alexander Sellner and Senior Airman Stephanie Mendenhall. The 21st AMOS weapons of mass destruction strategy briefing team was recognized as an outstanding team. 

The following individuals received an AMC IG coin for their performance during the ORI: Maj. James Sheridan, Capt. Edwin Markie, 1st Lt. Scott Harris, Master Sgt. John Curry, Master Sgt. Anthony Laudicina, Staff Sgt. Ryan Marcotte, Staff Sgt. Brian McDonald and Senior Airman Daimed Emid Nunez-Rivera. 

"I am incredibly proud of the men and women of the 621st CRW," said Col. Steve Bernard, 621st CRW commander. "They have worked extremely hard for the past several months and to see their great teamwork and superior efforts be rewarded and acknowledged by an overall 'Excellent' IG rating for the first-ever ORI for a CRW is just tremendously gratifying for the wing. It was a extraordinary accomplishment by the entire wing, specifically the 816th CRG that made up the core of the 119 troops that deployed to Gulfport; but the whole wing contributed ... members from each of the CRW's seven squadrons took part in and excelled during our ORI. Additionally, the 21st AMOS, also watered the IG's eyes with their comprehensive brief detailing the consequences of a chemical attack on mobility bases. The combination of all these efforts pushed our overall grade to an 'Excellent.' 

"I want to also thank our mission partners, the 305th AMW, for their unparalleled support," Colonel Bernard continued. "Without the "Can Do" Wing, we would never have been able to deploy to Gulfport. Our wings teamed together to have 142 out of 142 deployment sequence of event items turn green (meaning on time or early) for 10 C-17 loads of cargo and passengers. This is an incredible testament to our ability to work together to get out of town."