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Members of Team Ramstein recently completed the May Phase I and II operational readiness exercises here to test the 86th Airlift Wing and 435th Air Ground Operations Wing’s deployment and combat readiness.
Starting May 17, the eight-day exercise prepared the wings both here and in a “deployed location” for the upcoming operational readiness inspection in the fall.
“It was a rehearsal of what’s to come,” said Master Sgt. David Gallagher, Ramstein Inspections and Readiness superintendent. “The exercise looked like the ORI, but the next two OREs are going to definitely have the ORI feel; it’s going to get more challenging.”
During Phase I operations, deployment-line processes were evaluated. As the base moved into Phase II, selected individuals were tested on their ability to survive and operate.
“The ATSO evaluation was a mirror image of what the IG will expect from us,” Sergeant Gallagher said. “For example, donning the gas mask, recognizing M8 paper, conducting a post attack reconnaissance sweep, self-aid and buddy care — those are all the areas we need to work on for the next ORE.”
As Phase II built up, the base saw a well-defined play area and exercise transition centers.
“Having the play areas helped center the Ramstein industrial areas, where the heart of the base is, so we could focus the exercise on actual resources — personnel, facilities and equipment — and to coordinate the ‘attack’ on those assets, response and then recovery,” the superintendent said.
Several items were noted during the exercise that the base will need to work on leading up to the ORI.
Sergeant Gallagher said that among the top two items for Phase I were timeliness and delivery of chalks.
“Equal to that is cargo processing and paperwork,” he added. “We did very well in the personnel area, but the cargo deployment functions and those support enabler functions are going to need to step up and prove themselves during the next OREs.”
Post attack reconnaissance reporting and contamination avoidance are two areas of Phase II that will be worked on for the next exercise, Sergeant Gallagher said.
As always, a positive attitude is paramount to achieving success in future exercises and the ORI.
“Maintain a good attitude and carry that through the exercises,” said Maj. Michael Pontiff, Ramstein Inspections and Readiness deputy chief. “If we maintain a positive attitude, we’ll be in a good position when the IG comes in September.”
Team Ramstein will complete two more exercises before the inspection in the fall. The next exercise is scheduled July 12 to 19.
