Wing CC welcomes back ORI team

  • Published
  • By Col. Steven Harrison
  • 436th AW commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Congratulations on a job well done! Col. Eric Wydra and I are thrilled by the amazing job Team Dover did during the Operational Readiness Inspection. ORI team members fought off multiple simulated attacks while maintaining operations in a forward-deployed location. Way to show the inspector general why Dover is the best in Air Mobility Command!

Team Dover processed 844 Airmen, deployed 615 personnel and 153 short tons of cargo to a "second front." We had perfect accountability and zero major safety concerns, launched our team to Alpena, Mich., early ... defeated the enemy ... and brought everyone home safely. All told, we launched 20 missions ahead of the inspector general's timelines. That is full-spectrum excellence, and no one does it better than Dover.

We prepared in true Dover fashion for 10 months and executed magnificently when the chips were down. The Air Mobility Command IG will report our score Aug. 14 in the base theater and you are invited to attend. We don't know what the IG's report will say, but the most important report is already in -- the knowledge that you are ready, and that you can count on your fellow Airmen to be prepared as well. That's what it is all about, and I've never been prouder of Team Dover!

Please remember that the period following a major operational event is a time of risk as we have a tendency to momentarily lower our safety awareness. We remain in the heart of the 101 critical days of summer ... so please stay focused on the mission and safety. We lost the initiative on one of our Goal Day metrics by having two government travel cards more than 60 days delinquent. And we have had three motorcycle accidents and a DUI in the last week (luckily none with major injuries). Please take time to catch your breath, but do so responsibly.

Next week, we will bid a fond farewell to our Mission Support Group commander Col. Vic Sowers and his wife Pam, who are leaving Dover for a new and exciting assignment at the Pentagon. Vic and Pam, I would like to thank you for your service to the Airmen of Team Dover. You have done amazing things during your tenure, you have played a major role in improving the appearance and the mission focus of the entire base, and you will be sorely missed. On behalf of Team Dover, good luck and well wishes in your future endeavors!

If you are looking for some exciting things to do around base, the 436th Services Squadron has several events coming up. What better way to celebrate our ORI success than to participate in AMC Icon Aug. 13! To enter this contest, make sure to contact Services and sign up. We will all be there to support you, and the winner will get to compete in the AMC-level competition Oct. 23 for a chance to win $2,000 in cash prizes.

For those who don't enjoy singing publicly, there are many other fun venues Services has to offer. Take advantage of our Services facilities during AMC Match Up. Team Dover is currently leading the competition, but a number of bases are gunning for us. "Free money" is on the line for the base and all of our Service's facilities, so please keep visiting our great facilities and keep playing Match Up!

Once again, welcome back ORI Team! Your dedication and professionalism showed the IG why Team Dover is "America's Preeminent Expeditionary Airlift Team!"