Putting the O in ATSO: Team Dover trains for inspection

  • Published
  • By 512th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  When the pressure and stress of simulated base attacks wasn't making her sweat, her chemical warfare gear and gas mask was. Senior Airman Karista Laise was one of almost 500 Team Dover Airmen who honed their warfighting skills April 15-21 here in preparation for the base's Operational Readiness Inspection in December.

The ORI will be a joint operation between the 436th and the 512th Airlift Wings and the 433rd Airlift Wing, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. ORIs are conducted to evaluate and measure the ability of a unit to perform in wartime, during a contingency or a force sustainment mission, according to Air Force Instruction 90-201, Inspector General Activities.

To prepare the active and Reserve wings, representatives from 22nd Air Force conducted a Readiness Assessment Visit, which taught Dover Airmen the skills needed to survive and operate in war and in chemical environments. This included first aid, known as self aid buddy care, and how to protect people and assets from contamination.

"Personnel from both wings experienced six different attack scenarios, which all have different kinds of responses and reactions," said Lt. Col. Chris Cote, 512th AW lead ORI planner.

The 512th AW trained April 15-18 followed by the 436th AW April 19-21.

The RAV kicked off with a briefing from Lt. Col. Rich Alexandersen, 22nd AF team chief, who shared lessons learned from previous ORIs.

"Attitude is the most important thing you can put in your toolkit," he said. "A great attitude will make up a multitude of errors in an IG report."

The following six days comprised of conducting post attack reconnaissance sweeps and treating simulated wounded Airmen with wartime SABC techniques.

Master Sgt. John Witzke, 709th Airlift Squadron flight engineer and SABC instructor, monitored SABC operations during the exercises, which simulated injured and dead victims.

If there was an attack on an installation, PAR teams, the eyes and ears for senior leaders who have to make timely decisions, can possibly be the first to encounter wounded victims. In these instances, Sergeant Witzke reminded PAR team members of their role and responsibilities.

"If (an injured person) can tell you their (airway, breathing and circulation) is in-tact, tell them help is on the way and move on," he said. "Then, continue with your PAR sweep."

In all facets of an ORI, Chief Master Sgt. Gerry Milbourne, 22nd AF event chief, emphasized three main points - attitude, communication and team.

Col. Randal L. Bright, the 512th AW commander who will lead the Reserve wing for the ORI, encouraged Airmen to take the training seriously and practice the skills needed to excel at the ORI.

"I'm happy with a satisfactory, but I know the caliber of the men and women of Team Dover -- We are capable of bringing home an excellent," he said.

By training's end, participants had spent hours wearing their gas masks and Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear. For some, such as Airman Laise, it was the first time donning the apparel.

"I was a little nervous, but the training really familiarized me with the gear and taught me how to handle different scenarios," said Airman Laise, the 512th AW command chief executive assistant who will be working in the Personnel Support for Contingency Operations section for her first ORI. "I feel more prepared now."

While it's considered cumbersome by many to continue performing their mission and other routine tasks while wearing the chemical warfare suit, Colonel Alexandersen told the reservists, who only have six training days until the ORI, the key is to never give up.

"Work your way through the problem," he said. "If you mess up, fix it; and, don't ever give up."
To ensure Airmen persevere, several training events have been scheduled.

"People were taught the fundamentals so now they need to maintain their focus and the right mindset," said Maj. Toth Brent Toth, 436th AW deputy ORI planner. "We need to continue to train so we succeed in December."

Throughout the weeklong event, the 22nd AF RAV team said they found things that need to be corrected but overall both wing's personnel showed significant improvement from beginning to end, and above all, Team Dover members have one of the most important tools for success - a great attitude.


View a slideshow of photos from the RAV.