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Phase I exercises wing Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Cheryl L. Toner
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  Just like real estate value is tied to location, location, location, Spangdahlem's ability to generate aircraft and deploy people is all about preparation, preparation, preparation. The base's Phase I exercise Sept. 26-Oct. 2 proved this.

Less than two months after the last Phase I, the wing once again responded to a scenario in a fictitious country, but one that realistically tested the wing's capabilities. The test: rapidly mobilize wing assets to deploy in support of European Command or NATO requirements.

"We saw during the last Phase I exercise that we had a couple of areas that needed some work to get us back to the high standards that we set for the wing," said Master Sgt. Esman Morales Jr., 52nd Fighter Wing Inspections Manager.

Sergeant Morales said that the goal was to do some focused training and test the processes again. For example, unit deployment managers received refresher training and turned around to share the information within their units. "Across the wing, there were notable improvements from the last exercise," he said; however, since the August exercise was cut short, the wing was not able to see the process through.

"This time around, we saw some additional areas that require improvement," said Sergeant Morales. While it's been about a year and a half since the wing did this type of exercise, he said, "We're relearning the critical areas quickly by testing the wing hard."

He also said that there are a number of things that Airmen can do on an individual level that will make the team stronger. "Don't wait until Day One of the exercise to find out what your responsibilities are," he said. This includes reading the applicable plan as well as paying attention to detail when looking over the deployment order or performing any tasks.

Finally, he said, "Do your job as if the exercise were the real thing, instead of thinking, 'It's just an exercise.'

"You can't expect to excel ... if you don't practice and feel the pain now before game day," he said about the ability to deploy and to demonstrate that ability during the 2009 Operational Readiness Inspection. In the end, it all comes down to preparation.
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