115th Fighter Wing validates combat readiness

By Airman 1st Class Andrea F. Liechti

115th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

The Madison-based 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard has been deemed mission ready to deploy aircraft and personnel overseas in support of contingency operations, following a demanding Operational Readiness Inspection conducted July 13-18.

An inspection team from the Air Combat Command evaluated the 115th Fighter Wing in command and control, deployment processing, employment readiness, information operations and force protection. Eight teams and 37 Airmen were recognized as superior performers in the inspection, and eight ACC inspector general coins were awarded.

"This is a direct reflection of the caliber of the men and women of this Wing," said Col. Rickey Rodgers, inspection team chief. "We were truly impressed with the professionalism, devotion and dedication to the mission displayed throughout this inspection. This is a phenomenal Wing, a great organization."

"We only get better with people from the outside looking at us," Brig. Gen. Joseph Brandemuehl, 115th Fighter Wing commander, said after the ORI results were announced. "There's no question in my mind today we are a better, stronger organization because of [this inspection]."

Rodgers described the ORI as an intrusive inspection that examines areas which may miss daily scrutiny. Maj. Mike Palmer, 115th Maintenance Operations Flight commander, elaborated on that definition.

"The ORI is an evaluation of the unit's capability to transition from peacetime readiness to a surge operational posture and includes actions normally occurring prior to the outbreak of hostilities," Palmer said. "It [showcased] the efforts of the 115th Fighter Wing in various functions to safely prepare our unit to deploy as an aviation package to support world contingencies. The goal of the ORI is to ensure the 115th is a combat-ready unit."

"The 115th got the mission done," Rodgers said.

All functional areas of the Wing participated in the inspection, Palmer said. The 115th Airmen completed five Operational Readiness Exercises in preparation for the inspection and continued to show their dedication by working 12-14 hour days to ensure tasks were completed quickly and accurately.

Airman 1st Class Brooke Bloedorn, of the 115th Maintenance Group munitions, arrived on Truax Field from tech school last August and immediately began participating in OREs to prepare for the inspection.

"We've come a long way from that point, and have increased our standards and expectations for everything we do," Bloedorn said. "It's been a long road but nice to experience as a new Airman."

Bloedorn said her leadership has made the inspection fun while keeping focus which has helped to make the ORI run smoothly.

"It's been going well," Bloedorn said. "Everyone has had the opportunity to practice in all types of weather conditions during the exercises prior to this inspection. If we encounter a real-life scenario like this I'm confident we'll accomplish our tasks even faster than we have during the inspection."

ORIs typically take place every two to five years, Palmer said. The 115th plans to complete its next ORI during the summer of 2014. But for now, Airmen throughout the fighter wing embraced the opportunity to share in the inspection experience.

"The 115th Fighter Wing has an extraordinary group of Airmen who, under the command of Brig. Gen. Brandemuehl, continue to demonstrate their dedication to excellence," Palmer said.