ORI Attitude - Show It! Published Jan. 6, 2010 By Col. Gary Goldstone 375th Air Mobility Wing commander SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The time has come to hit the ground running as we increase our efforts in preparation for the March Operational Readiness Inspection. We've been counting down the days, and we're only 10 weeks away from demonstrating to the Air Force that AMC's Showcase wing is combat ready! During the next several weeks, we must maintain clear focus on what it's going to take for us to accomplish our goal of performing in an outstanding manner during every aspect of this war-time test. I have been fortunate, as well as other members of our wing, to see, first-hand, other units undergoing their ORIs. From these experiences, I believe we will do well. We need to fine tune many of our processes and be prepared. Over the next ten weeks I want to share with you my thoughts on how each of us can best prepare personally to ensure successful mission execution. ATTITUDE! This is where it starts and ends in a war and during an inspection. Our attitude will determine our altitude and success. From the beginning of the initial notification process to getting our Airmen on the aircraft to performing under hostile conditions "in country" to getting everyone safely home--our attitude defines who we are as Airmen. Attitudes are the manner in which we display how we are feeling. Having the proper attitude is about having the right mindset for what we are doing. There are many factors in play that could affect our attitudes in a negative way if we allow, such as dealing with extreme weather conditions, delays, or the fog and friction associated with mission execution. These are the things we will be looking at to mitigate but we can overcome these with a positive attitude. Sometimes just accepting the difficulties and getting to work to conquer the challenge is the best way to keep a positive attitude. Dealing with Mother Nature is going to be a challenge. Our next exercise at the end of January takes us to Volk Field in Wisconsin. That area is experiencing the same frigid temperatures we are here ... and it doesn't look like that will be changing anytime soon. So what do we do now? We prepare our cold weather gear, practice operating in cold weather conditions and maintain a positive mental attitude. We are not the first ones being asked to fight a war in the middle of winter. My thoughts turn to General Washington's midnight crossing of the Delaware for the surprise attack on Trenton. They were in rags and were hungry, yet rallied around their leader and the cause of liberty. I think of the men who held the line at Bastogne while surrounded by the Germans during an unusually bitter cold winter. And lest we forget about the "forgotten war" in Korea? Those winters and the conditions in which our veterans fought were seemingly unbearable, yet they forged on, performed their duties and rose to the occasion. They had a positive attitude and their attitude determined their success! The men and women of the 375th are not only ready, but we should expect nothing less than superb mission focus and execution as we prepare for wartime operations. For the ORI, our mission is to deploy down range, launch aircraft, and conduct the whole gamut of combat operations in a forward operating location. When our nation calls, we must be ready and willing to perform our vital role in our nation's security. We can't afford to have an "it's just an exercise" attitude. While these exercises and inspections aren't "epic historical moments" to be part of, we have no less a critical job to do and must do it with a positive attitude. We can honor those who have gone before us by doing what is required ... and then give a little bit more to exceed the standards. We can honor them with an attitude that reflects urgency, patriotism, leadership, audacity and concern. Let's show our country how we Enable Combat Power...and please never underestimate the value of a POSITIVE ATTITUDE!