LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The 1st Fighter Wing and the Virginia Air National Guard 192nd Fighter Wing will simulate a deployment at Base X here June 25-29.
More than 2,000 Langley Airmen will participate in the first of six Phase II exercises scheduled for 2007 in preparation for the basewide Operational Readiness Inspection in April 2008.
"The purpose of the exercise is to prepare Airmen for real-life combat situations," said Neale Cummings, 1st FW Plans, Programs and Evaluations exercise program manager. "Surviving and operating in a wartime environment requires preparation like this."
The Phase II will evaluate Airmen on three different sections throughout the week-long exercise: employment, mission support and the ability to survive and operate in a deployed location. The employment section, which evaluates the wing's ability to focus on mission accomplishment, is the heaviest graded area, according to Mr. Cummings.
"Each scenario is new for the participants and evaluators," said Mr. Cummings. "There's never a repeat in exercise circumstances, so everyone will be tested to their full potential each time."
Langley units prepare for combat scenarios daily; whether training in a classroom, on a computer or through open discussion and lectures with other Airmen.
"If Airmen are already training like they should from day to day, they should be well prepared for the exercises." said Lt. Col. Phil Guy, 1st FW Plans and Programs evaluator.
Of the thousands of participants, 60 Airmen and contractors will make up the wing exercise evaluation team and will act as inspector generals, who will judge the basewide ORI next year.
"We have evaluators from all career fields," Colonel Guy said. "That ensures maintainers will be judged by maintainers and medics judged by medics -- in the end, it helps everyone."
Another way the evaluation team will help exercise participants is through a mandatory player's briefing.
During the briefing, which is scheduled for June 25 at 8 and 10 a.m. and again at 4 and 7 p.m. in the 71st Fighter Squadron hangar, building 791, evaluators will provide crucial information and guidelines not covered in the Airman's Manual. The team will also emphasize key points on parking procedures and cell phone restrictions.
Set for success
Colonel Guy recommends all Airmen to prepare for the upcoming exercise by reviewing important guidelines and pamphlets, which are essential to success for this month's operational readiness exercise.
Know what to review
1. Air Force Instruction 90-201, Air Combat Command Supplement 1, Addendum A, which informs Airmen of the criteria of grading and how to be a successful player.
2. The newly renovated and approved Base X plan and
3. The players guide, along with any duty related information
Know what to bring
a. Field gear
- Web belt
- Canteen with M1 canteen cap (full of water)
- Helmet - with chin strap
- Body armor (if issued)
b. Chemical overgarment
c. Gas mask with carrier with C2 series canister
d. Hood (not applicable with JSLIST suit)
e. Rubber gloves, glove inserts
f. Over boots
g. Air Force Manual 10-100 dated June 1, 2004 and Airman's Manual
h. Langley Phase II Player's Guide
Know where to go and when
Schedule of events:
June 25, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Training day
June 26, 7 a.m. to midnight: Transition day
June 27, 12 a.m. to midnight: Exercise
June 28, 12 a.m. to midnight: Exercise
June 29, 12 a.m. to midnight: Exercise
All participating personnel will enter the exercise play area through one of the four designated Entry and Exit Points:
EEP1 - Danforth Avenue, Between hangars 752 and 753
EEP2 - Danforth Avenue, fighter arch
EEP3 - North side of base, munitions storage area and Raptortown
EEP4 - Behind building 330 (1st Logistics Readiness Squadron)
For more information or to obtain mandatory equipment, Airmen can contact their unit representatives or click
here for up-to-date ORE information.