At a moment’s notice any military unit may be called upon and must be ready to perform its warfighter mission. Remaining prepared to answer that call, the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, conducted a routine operational readiness assessment Oct. 2 through 5.
During the drill, teams faced different scenarios, improving their abilities to support wartime efforts.
“To ensure we can deliver what the National Defense Strategy demands of us, our readiness across the entire spectrum is vital,” said Col. Stephen Snelson, 6th AMW Commander. “Our readiness assessments are designed to challenge us in dynamic ways so every single Airman is prepared to fight tonight.”
During the ORA, the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron processed cargo and personnel deployment functions, the 6th Security Forces Squadron monitored entry control points and defended fighting positions, and the 6th Medical Group staged a medical decontamination zone. All the while, the 6th Maintenance Group and 6th Operations Group continued launching aircraft, a feat made possible through teamwork.
“These exercises can make us more agile by ensuring everyone involved has their processes down pat,” said Airman Shayla Cox, a 6th LRS Deployment Control Center logistics planner. “Every event is in direct support of the warfighting mission using exact processes that also are reflective of everyday functions.”
Coordination amongst all participating units was essential to smooth operations.
"Readiness cannot be defined by an aircraft; every Airman is critical for our wing to sustain full spectrum readiness,” said Snelson. “ORAs display this very clearly when you take a look at all of the actions needed to achieve mission success.”