Warrior Day: Training for the ORI Published April 22, 2009 By Senior Airman Andrew Davis 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- In preparation for the March 2010 Operational Readiness Inspection, members of the 375th Airlift wing were out in full force April 16 for Team Scott's first Warrior Day. Personnel from the 375th AW participated in activities that ranged from Ability to Survive and Operate field training to a comprehensive review of their mobility folders. "This was the first of five Warrior Days we have planned for the wing," said Charley Mills, 375th AW Chief of Exercises and Inspections. "In addition to the Warrior Days we will have additional fly away exercises that will ensure Team Scott is prepared for the ORI." During the upcoming Warrior Days, 375th AW members will rotate through the different activities to ensure they all have the proper training and equipment for the exercise. "We are cycling through the groups; doing ATSO training, mobility folder reviews and Wing Operations Center/Emergency Operations Center leadership reviews," said Mr. Mills. "All of these events will ensure that the wing is sufficiently prepared for real world deployments as well as the ORI. "The ATSO training consisted of proper dress-out and wear of chemical protective gear, and field training exercises held out by Scott Lake. Mobility folder reviews were conducted by unit exercise evaluation team members, and unit deployment managers using the criteria outlined in the Installation Deployment Plan. Results were briefed to unit commanders for corrective action. WOC/EOC leadership training helped senior leadership to develop and hone the roles they would be responsible for during real world deployments and exercises. These functional-led reviews enabled squadrons to get a better understanding of the evaluation criteria," said Mr. Mills. Warrior Day served a dual purpose according to Mr. Mills. "We are training folks for the ORI, but were not doing anything folks wouldn't need for a deployment, so by participating in Warrior Day and preparing for the ORI we are keeping Team Scott personnel ready for any short-notice deployments that may arise," he said. After the first Warrior Day positive feedback was high. "From all of the groups we got a lot of good feedback; senior leadership enjoyed the WOC/EOC training, and we got many comments that it helped them distinguish the difference between wartime and peacetime EOC operations," said Mr. Mills. "In addition to senior leadership, personnel who participated in the reviews and ATSO training said they really enjoyed the training and it helped them prepare for the upcoming exercises and ORI." Before the next Warrior Day, 375th AW personnel will participate in a fly away exercise to Volk Field, Wisc., to gain additional knowledge that will help prepare to survive and operate in a hostile environment. "The goal of this first fly away exercise is to focus on training and the basic skills personnel will need to go through the upcoming exercises," said Mr. Mills. "In addition to learning the basic Ability To Survive and Operate skills personnel will practice performing their individual jobs in a wartime environment." Future Warrior Days will be held June 18, Sept. 24, Nov. 19 and Feb. 26. and the first fly away will take place May 11-17. "Our Air Force has to be ready to rapidly respond to any crisis across a broad spectrum to prevent, contain, resolve, or engage and decisively win. The way we accomplish this is through preparedness," Mr. Mills said. "All of the training we accomplish on a routine basis, the local drills, and exercises we participate in help us achieve and maintain that level of preparedness that will be required to meet the challenges placed before us as a fighting force."