High standards ensure success for DAFB

  • Published
  • By Col. Steven Harrison
  • 436th Airlift Wing commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  This is it - we are rapidly approaching end game for the operational readiness inspection! In 11 days, the Air Mobility Command Inspector General team will arrive to evaluate Dover's ORI. That means we have only one top priority ... making final preparations to demonstrate that Dover's commitment to full-spectrum excellence extends well into the expeditionary environment. And your role is simple ... do anything possible, leave no rock unturned, consider every contingency in order to demonstrate to the ORI inspectors that you are ready, trained, equipped and prepared for the warfighting challenges they intend to throw at us. We'll have no excuses for anything but our best.

Over the course of the previous year, I have set some lofty goals for the members of Team Dover, and I have been incredibly proud as I have watched you meet and exceed those goals. Together, we have earned the 2008 Commander-in-Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence, flown the first C-5 Galaxy into Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, flawlessly incorporated the Air Force's newest C-17 Globemaster IIIs into the Global War on Terror and consistently move more cargo than all of the other bases in AMC combined!

And now it's time for the toughest challenge of all: an "outstanding" on the ORI. An outstanding is rare, and the IG doesn't give them out like candy ... we have to earn it. But, we've done our homework. Over the last nine months, we have had nine wing-wide deployment exercises. We've conducted two site surveys, one fly-away operation, two Elephant Walk exercises and a host of unit-specific training, self-aid and buddy care preparation, weapons practice, ability to survive and operate in a chemical environment training, and much, much more.

Now, it's time to execute. That means brushing up on last minute items, getting with your unit deployment manager to confirm that your records are in order and making sure that you know where you need to be and when you need to be there. It means reviewing your Airmen's manual, checking your buddy and doing what only you can do ... your job! I'll be frank - our team is good, very good. If we execute to the best of our ability, if we do it safely, if we pay attention to the details and do what we've been trained to do, we'll get an outstanding. We are ready ... be safe, and good luck!

Going to war ... never a better time to be part of Team Dover: America's Preeminent Expeditionary Airlift Team!