315th AW completes MOBEX, eyes ORE

Published June 5, 2011
By Lt Joe Simms
315th AW Public Affairs

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON -- Members of the 315th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base S.C. and their active duty counterparts, participated in a mobility exercise June 1-5 in preparation for the Operational Readiness Inspection later this year.

The exercise was the culmination of months of hands on and computer-based training and concluded with the simulated boarding of a C-17 for a deployment.

"The Mobex is one of the major graded areas for our upcoming ORI and sets the tone for us as we move to the down range location," said Senior Master Sergeant Danica Sancic, 315th AW ORI Lead Planner. "Our next ORE will incorporate the positioning the force phase as well as sustaining and employing the force and redeployment."

"We have begun the building blocks to performing effectively for our ORI and our real world mission," she continued.

The exercise began with a warning order followed by an execution order which assigned each individual to a passenger group for processing.

Almost 200 reservists were notified Friday afternoon to report for processing with times starting that night and proceeding into Saturday morning. Once everyone arrived at the reporting location and double checked their mobility folders, each member as bused to the processing line where they received briefings and medical supplies, giving them everything they would need to operate in a deployed environment.

From the processing line, participants were transported to the passenger terminal and input into the manifest to board the C-17 flight.

For many players shuttling from one location to another, it is easy to overlook all the work that goes into mobilizing a joint reserve and active duty force. At the forefront of this process are the Unit Deployment Managers.

"The success of the MOBEX is dependent on all personnel being on-time at the right location but the lion's share depends greatly on the work of our Unit Deployment Managers and everyone behind the scenes," said Colonel Steve Chapman, 315th Airlift Wing commander. "It takes a large effort to mobilize a joint reserve and active duty force but with the right attitude and everyone working as a team the transition will be seamless."

Master Sergeant Karla Rose is one of 15 primary UDMs throughout the 315th AW and the focal point for everything regarding mobility folders and training during the exercise. Each member is required to complete multiple training courses prior to mobilization and its Master Sgt. Rose's responsibility to keep all the documentation in order.

"The best thing primaries and their alternates can do to prepare for the ORI is to make sure all their training is up to date," said Master Sgt. Rose, 315th AW Unit Deployment Manager." Each participant is required to complete hands on Weapons Familiarization, Self Aid and Buddy Care, ATSO training and multiple computer based courses."

All required tier 2A and 2B training can be found at https://aef.afpc.randolph.af.mil/Predeployment.aspx.

Next up for the 315th is the second phase of the evaluation process, a fly away to Gulfport Miss. in July. While deployed, participants will be challenged by performing their jobs under exercise conditions in a war-time environment. Members can expect it to be hot and humid and there might be some bumps in the road, but that's why we practice.