Air Guard completes simulated deployment training

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Barone | A Louisiana National guardsman uses force protection procedures to detain a suspicious person outside the medical clinic during the Louisiana National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing's Operational Readiness Exercise at the Trent Lott Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Miss. The ORE represents real-world deployments to combat zones and tests readiness and training.  

GULFPORT, UNITED STATES

03.28.2009

Story by Senior Airman Rosie Stahl 

Louisiana National Guard

GULFPORT, Miss. – More than 700 members of the Louisiana Air National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing finished their week-long training of operational readiness at the Trent Lott Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Miss., on March 28.

The operational readiness exercises represent real-world deployments to combat zones. The Fighter Wing completed its Operational Readiness Inspection Phase I, with an excellent rating and are now preparing for Phase II.

Operational and survival skills were tested during the exercise. Guardsmen wore protective over-garments and equipment during simulated attacks and continued completing their missions, such as maintaining force at a deployed location while launching and recovering jets. Practically all elements of the wing were represented to include communications, personnel, logistics, medical, services and aircraft maintenance.

"This is a good opportunity to train," said Staff Sgt. Lanitra Reed, who works as a Post Attack Reconnaissance Team member. "We are doing everything we will have to do in the final inspection."

Commander Col. Roy V. Qualls said, "I am very proud of the outstanding performance by the entire Wing."

Twenty-five guard members from other states volunteered to participate in the exercise as evaluators and instructors. As experts in their field, they were able to share their knowledge with the fighter wing.

The Wing was scheduled for an ORI Phase II in 2005, but it was delayed due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The new inspection date is scheduled for early 2010.

• Date Taken: 03.28.2009
• Date Posted: 04.01.2009 13:36
• Story ID: 31877
• Location: GULFPORT, US