459 ARW ramps up training during NORE

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Steve Lewis
  • 459th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  459th Air Refueling Wing Airmen put their training and skills to the test during the Nuclear Operational Readiness Exercise here Nov. 3 - Nov. 10.

The exercise is focused on evaluating the 459 ARW's ability to plan and generate KC-135 Stratotankers to provide fuel to bomber and fighter aircraft during contingency operations. The wing's participation in the NORE was also part of a simultaneous global effort in collaboration with multiple U.S. military branches.

Lt. Col. Mark Meacham, 459th Operations Support Flight operations planner, took the lead on coordinating units, personnel and aircraft to participate in the exercise. He said the 459 ARW participated in scenarios that were in conjunction with supporting U.S. Strategic Command assets.

"The entire wing was involved with the NORE. This is a mission that requires all the groups here to work together," Colonel Meacham said. "Generating aircraft and aircrew requires the Maintenance Group and the Operations Group. Aircrews need to be housed and fed, which requires the Mission Support Group. Then there are medical elements in the exercise, which require our medical units to get involved," he said.

Colonel Meacham said the overall goal of the wing's participation in the NORE was to test their ability to work with global U.S. Strategic Command forces during wartime scenarios and execute Operation Plan missions.

During the NORE, 459 ARW Airmen also served as Exercise Evaluation Team members. EET members inspected several areas including aircrew generation, maintenance operations and mobilization criteria among the units. They were mainly present during the execution stage of the exercise, which took place on Saturday and Sunday of the November Unit Training Assembly here.

Lt. Col. Stephen Saur, 459 OSF operations officer and lead EET member, said the exercise went well.

"Everyone whom was involved should be proud of their participation in this very important mission," Colonel Saur said. "We'll have another chance to excel in the next few months as we practice NORE skills again and build on the experience gained in this exercise."

Colonel Saur said the entire wing will participate in more NORE-related scenarios this February. He urged all 459 ARW Airmen to prepare by ensuring they have proper equipment for the exercise and by being familiar with the Airman's Manual (AFPAM 10-100).

As the NORE came to a close on Nov. 10, the 459 ARW now prepares for the official Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection and Operational Readiness Inspection in 2012 by continuing to practice and exercise their skills. During the NORI and the ORI, the Air Mobility Command Inspector General team will formally evaluate key areas which may include unit generation, employment, mission support, and safety and defensive counter information.

Editor's note: Staff Sgt. Sophia Piellusch, 459 ARW, contributed to this story.