CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
I thought I'd try to help educate you on our upcoming Expeditionary Operational Readiness Inspection. Charleston AFB is scheduled to have our EORI from Oct. 21 to 28. October may sound like it's far off in the future; but in reality, it's just around the corner. I'll try to explain what our EORI entails, who the players are, what's graded and what it takes to excel.
EORIs focus on performance at the unit type code-level and readiness is assessed against published standards. The method of inspection is a fly-away Inspector General Exercise. The IG normally conducts the IGX at one of the combat readiness training centers, such as the training centers in Gulfport, Miss., or Savannah, Ga. The IGX will reflect, to the greatest extent possible, Air Mobility Command's response to the JCS crisis action system. We are anticipating a warning order release 60 days prior to the exercise. Intelligence message traffic flow should begin 30 days prior to the beginning of the IGX. Bottom-line: The inspectors will evaluate us on how well we do our mission including our performance in a chemical gear environment.
The Charleston AFB EORI will involve the 437th Airlift Wing, the 315th Airlift Wing, the 1st Combat Camera Squadron and the 172nd Airlift Wing from Jackson, Miss. The 437 AW has been designated the lead and each wing will receive an individual grade.
There are four equally important major graded areas. These include initial response, employment, mission support and the ability to survive and operate.
Initial response encompasses command and control, execution and management of deployment processes. To receive Initial Response Credit each unit must process a certain number of passengers and short tons of cargo based on unit size.
-- 437 AW must process 500 passengers and 454 short tons of cargo.
-- 315 AW must process 425 passengers and 21 short tons of cargo.
-- 1CTCS must process 33 passengers and 6 short tons of cargo.
-- 172 AW must process 250 passengers and 68 short tons of cargo, which will occur at their base in Jackson, Miss.
Employment is the safe delivery of passengers, patients, fuel and cargo to the correct place, in the proper sequence and on time. Employment taskings include airland, aerial delivery, aerial refueling, aeromedical staging, aeromedical evacuation, and other unique missions. Inspectors will assign grades based on direct observation of applicable tasks.
Mission support is critical support to facilitate mission accomplishment and directly affects the unit's ability to perform its wartime mission. AMC inspectors will assess each unit's ability to perform an installation's mission capability. Criteria include: command and control; operations before, during and after a contingency; plans for hardening and dispersal; detection and warning procedures; reconnaissance team readiness; contamination avoidance procedures; and damage repair, fire protection and individual protection actions.
During the course of the EORI, all Airmen must be aware of the correct procedures to survive a chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear or explosive attack and continue to accomplish the mission while wearing protective gear.
The following IG keys to success, if followed, will impress the inspectors:
-- Competence -- Know your job inside and out and perform those duties to the best of your ability despite the inspection scenario or the inspector's glare.
-- Responsiveness -- Show a "sense of urgency" during every moment; lean forward in those starting blocks and then realistically propel yourself into every activity.
-- Attitude -- Display a positive attitude. Recognize that enthusiasm is contagious and problems always arise in the "fog of war" but can be overcome.
-- Readiness -- Ensure your personal bags are packed, mobility requirements are current, the paperwork and processes in your work section are in perfect order and you have trained effectively so you can infallibly perform your duties in peace and war.
-- Aggressiveness -- React authoritatively with ATSO skills in attack scenarios and with self-aid and buddy care in medical emergencies. Effectively continue mission essential activities in all force protection levels, and treat inspections and exercises as the real thing.
-- Appearance -- Look people in the eye, pop that sharp salute and exceed standards for uniform, boots and hair.
-- Safety -- Approach duties with a safety-oriented mindset, know when not to press forward on actions because they're unsafe and apply operational risk management techniques to accomplish the mission.
-- Leadership -- Lead by words and actions, formally and informally, by motivating, communicating and setting a positive example.
-- Followership -- Follow taskings and orders quickly and effectively, employ team-building skills and always keep the objective in sight.
-- Pride -- Visibly exude pride in yourself, your unit, your mission and your base.
In preparation for the EORI, the wing is planning on conducting its first fly-away exercise on May 5 to 9. Are you ready?