AMC IG declares 908 deployment ready

  • Published
  • By Gene H. Hughes
  • 908th Airlift Wing
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Alabama --  The 908th Airlift Wing justified the months of rigorous training and long hours of hard work by earning a "satisfactory" rating for its recent Operational Readiness Inspection. The Inspector General team from Air Mobility Command declared the Maxwell wing fully operational and ready to deploy in support of real-world American military missions.

The wing secured its rating in the graded categories of positioning the force, employing the force, mission support and ability to survive and operate during the Dec. 4-11 inspection held at the Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Miss.

"These guys are ready to go to war," said Col. John "Woody" Almind, AMC IG team leader. They're ready to deploy to any conventional theater that might be susceptible to chemical attacks or conventional missiles, and protect our freedoms."

During the past several months, the wing has prepared extensively for the ORI with its September Operational Readiness Exercise and subsequent Unit Training Assemblies. The hard work and extra effort sharpened the Airmen's skills and paid off during the inspection, which also included Reservists from the 94th Airlift Wing, Dobbins ARB, Ga.; the 911th Airlift Wing, Pittsburgh ARS, Pa.; and the 920th Rescue Wing, Patrick AFB, Fla.

"It's truly an honor and a privilege to command this tremendous organization," said Col. Brett Clark, 908th Airlift Wing commander. "This has become even more evident given the time limitations our Reservists had to overcome with only two drill weekends to resolve issues identified during the ORE.

"These inspection results validate what we already knew - the 908th remains ready ... always."

Inspectors evaluated the Maxwell wing's response to scenarios such as missile attacks, chemical agent contamination, security breaches and mass casualties, all while maintaining a high operations tempo.

The first night of the "war," the inspection team hit the 908 with mortar attacks, situations which forced personnel in critical areas to "bug out" and relocate while still maintaining functional capability. The second night, the wing was challenged even more by chemical missile attacks.

Personnel not only had to fight the war in MOPP 4, but also find where the 'chems' had hit, where the plume was heading and determine what facilities, equipment and personnel had been contaminated.

"That's our most rigorous scenario, and they did a fine job with that," Colonel Almind said. "They came in well prepared. This wing only did one Operational Readiness Exercise getting ready for this. A lot of units will do two or three, so you can imagine the challenges if you've only had one.

"It really motivates me when folks do as well as they did. These guys had great motivation, great attitudes and were very professional. They took it seriously and didn't treat it like an exercise. They fought through to the end."

The inspection team gave out 19 awards for superior performance, double the honors normally bestowed, Colonel Almind said. Four teams and 15 wingmen were recognized for their exceptional efforts during the inspection.
In his report to Colonel Clark and members of his staff, Colonel Almind congratulated the 908 for a job well done.

"Your hard work definitely paid off," he said. "We came to validate compliance, programs, processes and, ultimately, your readiness. You came through with flying colors. I know you agree it wasn't easy. We gave you a tough, hard look, and it was obvious that you prepared hard, and you delivered. I saw great leadership throughout, from the wing commander, to the lowest-ranking Airman.

"You definitely live by your motto. The 908th Airlift Wing is 'Ready ... Always!'"