CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Team Charleston, I would like to personally congratulate each and every one of you on our "Excellent" rating for the operational readiness inspection.
The dedication and commitment of the Airmen of Charleston AFB is evident by the number of individual and team awards handed out by the inspector general team and, of course, the cheers and excitement shown by each group and squadron in this wing.
As Team Charleston prepared for the ORI, the 15th Airlift Squadron also prepared for their deployment to U.S. Air Forces Central command theater of operations. As you read this, the 15 AS Global Eagles are already on their way.
As we prepared for both of these events, it became apparent why the ORI is instrumental to any wing. When our deployment office started scrubbing folders back in January for the ORI, they were able to get a head start on all the members of the squadron. This allowed us to complete all the required checklists well in advance of our pending departure. We had the ability to plan events like chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive training, weapons training and self-aid and buddy care. We practiced operating in our chemical warfare equipment, prepared our wills and powers of attorney and studied the Airman's Manual. Basically, anything and everything required for you to be ready to deploy, we accomplished in preparation for the ORI.
Preparing for the ORI streamlined our deployment line. We were able to identify incorrect dog tags, bad identification cards and missing shots before we processed.
Through the ORI, the IG provided us a toolbox. When we prepared and participated in the ORI or a deployment, we were given the chance to use all the tools we had learned throughout our military careers. Tools must be used correctly, cleaned and put away when finished with them. They have little to no value if used incorrectly or are forgotten about.
Examples of these tools include using and understanding the Airman's Manual and possessing the ability to survive and operate in conditions that we are not familiar with. We all must master our job qualification standard and the fundamental skills required to perform within our required job specialties, and all of us have to work as a team to complete the mission. Knowledge is power; and with the help of the ORI and the IG team, we were afforded the opportunity to take our tools out and polish.
As we continue to celebrate our "Excellent" rating, remember any of us can be called to deploy at any time. The ORI is done and we finally have time to sit back and relax. Don't let your tools sit in your toolbox on a shelf until the next ORI. If you do, they will be "rusty." Use the tools provided to you and study the lessons learned -- not just of your unit, but of the wing. A short 18-hour plane ride changes everything and before you know it you're an operational warfighting Airman.