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FAIRBORN, Ohio — I shift the weight of my rucksack and scrape dried mud from my boots onto the concrete before boarding the bus back to base. Around me, Airmen move with quiet determination. We are worn down, covered in sweat and dust, but the sense of pride is unmistakable. For the last three days, the 178th Wing has been fully immersed in its most demanding evaluation to date a full scale Combat Readiness Inspection.
The inspection, conducted by the Inspector General office, was a comprehensive assessment of the Wing’s ability to survive, operate, and carry out mission essential tasks in a contested and degraded environment. Designed to reflect the realities of modern warfare, the exercise evaluated every squadron, section, and individual, pushing Airmen to go beyond their core duties and operate as multi-capable members of a leaner, more agile force.
“I never had opportunities like this when I was on active duty, you tended to stay in your lane and focus on your specific responsibilities,” said Staff Sgt. Laken Rohrers, a religious affairs specialist with the Chaplain Corps. “But here, I got to see nearly everyone take on additional roles including myself. It was really rewarding to step in to help wherever I could. It showed me what it means to be one team, one fight.”
Preparation for the inspection began long before arriving at the Warrior Training Center (WTC) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. On Sunday, after completing personnel processing, members were issued tactical gear and rucksacks and received final briefings. The next morning, Airmen reported to the Logistics Readiness Squadron, loaded equipment onto trucks, and were transported to the temporary duty station by a chinook.
At the WTC, a portion of the Wing operated as a simulated forward deployed element, responsible for sustaining the flow of mission critical communications and information back to Springfield Air National Guard Base. The scenario tested the Wing’s ability to command and control from multiple locations and maintain operational continuity in the face of adversity.
The inspection included scripted disruptions - called injects - that introduced realistic threats such as mass casualty events, improvised explosive devices, hazardous materials, and compromised communication systems. Combined with the roar of live aircraft like the Chinook helicopter, flashbangs, and simulated enemy intrusions, the experience blurred the line between training and reality.
“We were not acting,” said one participant. “We were living the scenario.”
“These kinds of exercises are rigorous and stressful,” said 1st lt. Nick Wheeler of the Logistics Readiness Squadron. “But doing them with your peers builds a deeper understanding of our strengths and shortfalls. It makes us more ready and more lethal for future fights. I was eager to go through this with my Airmen.”
Inside the Tactical Operations Center, leaders operated under limited information, constrained resources, and constant scenario changes. The ability to continue operations in such an environment reflected the intent of the exercise to develop Airmen who are adaptable and capable of maintaining mission effectiveness under pressure.
Master Sgt. Roxanne Sickel, First Sergeant for the 169th Combat Communications Squadron and acting member of the Wing Inspection Team, said, “As part of the Wing Inspection Team, our responsibility is to ensure every protocol is followed and each scenario is thoroughly evaluated. We are here to verify that the Wing is meeting the standards set by the Department of the Air Force and effectively carrying out mission essential tasks as required.
We are training as if we were truly deployed operating in an unfamiliar environment, protecting ourselves and nearby civilians, and establishing a base capable of supporting real world mission requirements. This is about staying ready, being flexible, and executing the mission wherever we are called to serve.”
The Air Force is changing how it prepares for future conflicts, moving away from large, specialized formations and toward smaller, more versatile teams. These multi-capable Airmen are trained to operate with limited resources and reduced footprints, increasing mobility and decreasing vulnerability. This approach, known as Agile Combat Employment, ensures forces can disperse rapidly, set up operations in new locations, and continue the mission with minimal support.
The Combat Readiness Inspection reinforced this shift. It was not only a test of systems and strategy, but also of mindset; Reinforcing the warrior ethos and demanding that every Airman think creatively and adapt rapidly.
This inspection did more than confirm compliance. It demonstrated that the 178th Wing is a resilient combat ready force. Despite exhaustion and uncertainty, Airmen met every challenge with grit and unity. The threat may have been simulated, but the pressure was real and so was our performance.
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.21.2025 14:30 |
| Story ID: | 545397 |
| Location: | FAIRBORN, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 9 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Warrior Tested: 178th Wing Demonstrates Combat Readiness in Multi-Day Evaluation, by SSgt Colin Simpson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
