ORE Phase II Day 1

Senior Airman Durrell Hearns, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons crew chief, and Staff Sgt. Rafael Cratch, 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons crew chief, guide the weapon loading vehicle under the wing of an F-15E Strike Eagle on Base X, during an operational readiness exercise, Dec. 8, 2009. The weapons loading vehicle, or jammer, can raise, lower and rotate the munitions to load it onto the jet. During the week-long exercise, Airmen will test their ability to execute wartime taskings, generate combat sorties under simulated wartime conditions and provide combat airpower in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Rae Perry)

Maintainers keep business as usual during ORE

Published Dec. 9, 2009
By Airman 1st Class Marissa Tucker
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- While most 4th Fighter Wing Airmen are in full exercise mode away from their respective workplaces, flightline personnel are double tasked this week, as the "real-world" flight schedule remains uninterrupted, during the week-long Phase II operational readiness exercise, Dec. 7-11 .

Maintainers, while reacting accordingly to alarms and donning all mission-oriented protective posture gear when warranted, are also performing their regular mission of preparing aircraft for aircrew to train while being observed by specialist in their field, said Tech Sgt. Phillip Dayton, 4th Maintenance Group maintenance exercise evaluation team member.

"We want to make sure our Airmen are prepared when they deploy," he said. "This also helps us know where we need to provide more training and guidance."

There are more Airmen than usual on the flightline, acting as augmented security forces members, inspection teams and observers to educate 4th FW Airmen on operations in a forward-deployed location.

The flying schedule has not been impacted and it is business as usual on the flightline, said Master Sgt. Todd Abbott, 336th Aircraft Maintenance Unit cell boss. "Regardless of the extra equipment and extended work schedule, Airmen are keeping their spirits high."

Senior Airman Brad Adkins, 4th Equipment Maintenance Squadron flightline support crew, is excited about the experience to train with different units from around the base and learn more about his job.

"It's a good time working with people you usually wouldn't," he said. "Sometimes on the flightline, we don't always understand what everyone else does, but it does help to know how we all put warheads on foreheads."

The Phase II involves flying combat operations from a similuated deployed location as well as base attacks, and the ability to operate and survive under different scenarios.