Advisor visits wing to help ensure ORI success Published Nov. 1, 2009 By 1st Lt. Shawn M. Walleck 911 AW/PA PITTSBURGH IAP ARS -- Recently, Col. Clayton W. Childs, AFRC Advisor to the AMC/IG visited the 911th to brief the Wing on their upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection. Colonel Childs main role is to act as a liaison between the two commands as a facilitator of information. The information sharing session Colonel Childs hosted was held here Oct. 6 and was well attended by the majority of key ORI players and planners. The briefing focused on five ORI areas: recent ORI changes, attitude, do's and don'ts, 'IGisms' and how to 'Win The War.' Of the five areas, three will be explored in greater detail. One of the words referenced time and again about what can make or break an ORI is attitude. "This isn't something found in the Airman's manual and it doesn't show up on a packing list, however, bringing a positive attitude to the inspection is a must for everyone involved," said Lt. Col. Aldo Filoni, 911th ORI lead planner. Colonel Childs stressed that this is an INSPECTION and not an EXERCISE and that the best way to differentiate between the two is to make it as 'REAL' as possible. "If the scenario centers on deploying to a certain country, then picturing yourself physically operating in that environment will help make the ORI easier," added Colonel Childs. Another critical area is performing the "O" in ATSO during the inspection. "The key is keeping the wing capable by continuing to operate in a chemical environment. Remember, you are fighting the war and not the IG," the colonel said. While maintaining a positive attitude, players should have a sense of urgency about them while remaining safe at the same time. Additionally, remaining professional regardless of the pressure or magnitude of the situation is also another key to individual and team success. As with any inspection there are certain Do's and Don'ts that everyone should know. The do's are: know the IG ground rules and follow them, call the host nation/AMD foroutside agency coordination, practice bugging out, stress buddy checks while in MOPP 4, think through ADVON and redeployment, lead at all levels, and finally, eat and hydrate. The don'ts are: Call the AMD to Speak to 'the IG,' broadcast "Exercise, Exercise, Exercise" at the CRTC, think or act like it will be a three day war and simulate actions that can really be done. Also don't forget basic AFSC skills and training, pencil whip paperwork, hesitate to use contaminated equipment and don't accept unnecessary mission delays. So with that all said, How do we 'win the war?' Be prepared by knowing your bug out and bunker locations, know ATSO and rehearse 'what if' scenarios. Bring what you need, when you need it is a mentality for those on the advanced team. The 'downrange' location is a bare base with no existing pubs, programs or equipment. So if you think it may be needed, bring it. Always fight back, meaning get the planes in the air even while in a chemical environment. Also while in a chemical environment press hard to get out of MOPP 4 by covering the correct PAR routes, communicating information effectively, indentifying split MOPP areas and indentifying contaminated personnel and getting them to DECON stations quickly. Then, once all is done, the end goal is to redeploy safely. Finally it's [the inspection] not over until the outbrief. "Many players may want to loosen up on their military bearing or following the rules prior to being wheels up from Gulfport. Don't, because the inspector's eyes are always watching, so do the right thing even when no one is looking and you will never be wrong," concluded Lt. Col. Filoni.