Wing following Air Force focus on readiness

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Micah Garbarino
  • 94th Airlift Wing
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga., --  Selected members from the 94th Airlift Wing participated in a mass training exercise on Feb. 2-3, in order to better prepare for the upcoming Operational Readiness inspection in August.

But, as revealed a couple of months ago, there is a more important reason to make sure the wing's readiness level is high. The 94th AW will convert from a domestic C-130 training unit to an operational mobility unit. Unit members currently supporting the training mission will participate more in deployment rotations performed by other reserve airlift units.

"The 94th Airlift Wing has been an operational mobility unit in the past and we are eager and willing to perform any mission that the Air Force requires of us," said Col. Heath Nuckolls, 94th Airlift Wing, commander.

The Air Force and Air Force Reserve is very much in the fight overseas and senior leadership continues to communicate their goals to Airmen who fight right alongside other services when deployed, and both are being asked, from the highest levels, to continue the good work and stay flexible when it comes to taskings.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne stopped to talk with deployed Airmen during a luncheon and Airmen's call held at Balad Air Base Feb. 2.

During his visit, Secretary Wynne discussed topics including in-lieu-of taskings, the medical miracles of Iraq, , and current and future changes on the horizon for basic training.

"There are a lot of changes going on and it's all about innovation and imagination to meet the challenges of the job. It's incredible," Secretary Wynne said.

One of the ways Airmen are excelling in challenges is through ILO taskings.

"I always say that the reason we have problems with the in-lieu-of for ground force taskings is that when Airmen take that mission, they do it so well that we have a hard time convincing our Army colleagues that they shouldn't have Airmen doing that," Secretary Wynne said. 

"I say they should give our Airmen back to our Air Force and do it themselves. But the Army says, 'no, actually you guys have brought such innovation and imagination that we'd like you to send us another (Airman) because we think you will extend it.' That's what we do, we come in, we spend the time on the job and try to leave it better off for the person who comes in behind us. We make sure they are as equipped and proud to do the job as we were."

Another facet of Airmen excelling alongside the Army is in the medical realm, which the 94th AES currently supports via air evac.

"The miracle of Iraq is the medicine and the air evac missions," Secretary Wynne said, when visiting the Air Force Theater Hospital here. "It is a profound change that we have brought to medicine throughout the United States. You come away (from here) just totally impressed with what they do. It's amazing to see the compassion they bring to a tough area and a tough fight. Whether it is U.S., coalition or Iraqi, civilians or military (hospital personnel provide) the same level of care, same level of compassion. There's never a doubt that patients receive the most excellent care available here."

In addition to the ILO and medical enhancements, the secretary also said that Air Force basic training is going through an improvement process as well. Airmen coming to the 94th will be better prepared to face challenges of the 94th Airlift Wing's several scheduled Operational Readiness Exercises that focus on CBRNE training and Self Aid/Buddy Care.

"We are in the process of expanding basic training in many different areas," he said. "We are now issuing new Airmen weapons in basic training and we intend to start focusing more time on first aid because we feel these are important aspects every Airman should be knowledgeable in."

The secretary ended his visit by thanking all Airmen for their service and what they bring to the fight.

"We are still the best Air Force in the world and you are the core of it," the secretary said. "I want to thank you for that because it allows me to brag about you. The value you add to the lore, the mission and the future of our Air Force is beyond all expectation."

Portions of this story by Staff Sgt. Ruth Curfman
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs