270th EIS engages in ORE, preps for ORI
By Tech. Sgt. Jonathan White, 111th FW Public Affairs
/ Published March 12, 2008
WILLOW GROVE AIR RESERVE STATION, Pa. -- Members of the 270th Engineering Installation Squadron, 111th Fighter Wing, and 253rd Combat Communications Group from Otis ANGB, Cape Cod, Mass., participated in an operational readiness exercise (ORE) here Feb. 9.
Guardsmen trained on the ability to survive and operate (ATSO), self-aid buddy care (SABC), identifying and reporting) explosive ordinance, and engineering installation procedures. The second of three scheduled OREs, Operation Cracked Bell II was conducted to prepare the 270th for its first operational readiness inspection in Aug. 2008.
"OREs and ORIs are new concepts to us," said Chief Master Sgt. John Fleming, 270th chief of workload.
Around July 2005, the 270th became members of Air Combat Command.
"In the past, we had operational compliance inspections. Now that we fall under ACC, we must participate in OREs and ORIs. This is a new area in which we must get personnel up to speed. We have experienced members from the 111th and 253rd helping us with these exercises." said Fleming.
The 270th has been communicating with members of the 253rd for approximately a year. Senior Master Sgt. Richard M. Lunetta, air traffic control superintendent, was one of seven guardsmen from the 253rd assisting the 270th with EET duties.
I serve as another set of eyes to help with ATSO and ensure participants are complying with exercise rules of engagements, Lunetta explained.
Lunetta has prior training and knowledge in ACC requirements for OREs and ORIs.
"I've done the same thing for air traffic control units," he added. "We are thankful for the 270th's hospitality and we look forward to helping the 270th earn an outstanding rating."
Results from this exercise will identify the strengths and weaknesses of the unit. The unit must fix its weaknesses so it can remain world-wide ready for combat missions, said Fleming.
"Our people's attitudes have been very good," Fleming added. "I am very proud of these guys. They are hitting it and getting it, and doing very well."
The third ORE is scheduled for June UTA. Duty hours will be extended to 12-hour shifts, which reflect the work hours for the actual operational readiness inspection.