WIT members prepare for upcoming exercises

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Maj. Jonathan Askins, 89th Airlift Squadron C-17 pilot, helps fellow pilots in the unit with their protective gear while training on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense (CBRN) techniques during a training flight Oct. 4, 2014. The crew wears filtered breathing apparatus and is covered in plastic while outside the aircraft, to protect against any falling contaminants. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Frank Oliver)

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445 AW WIT members prepare for upcoming exercises

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – Master Sgt. Caroline Sussman, 89th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, trains on chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense (CBRN) techniques while preparing for a training flight Oct. 4, 2014. CBRN is protective measures taken in situations in which any of these four hazards are present. Sussman is wearing a filtered breathing apparatus and is covered in plastic while outside the aircraft, to protect against any falling contaminants. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Frank Oliver)

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445 AW WIT members prepare for upcoming exercises

Published Nov. 12, 2014
By Capt. Elizabeth Caraway
445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- More than 90 Wing Inspection Team members attended an initial exercise meeting here Oct.5. This latest discussion focused on preparations for upcoming wing pre-deployment and deployment exercises in the first half of 2015.

The 445th Airlift Wing is now responsible for developing its own exercises to evaluate inspectable items. In 2015, members can expect a two-day pre-deployment exercise in January that will examine mobility folder readiness. There will also be control center stand-ups and a tabletop processing exercise. In March, the four-day pre-deployment exercise will focus on an aircraft surge and landing in a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, or high-yield Explosive weapons (CBRNE) environment. They will also complete a simulated noncombatant evacuation. The four-day Deployment Operations Exercise in May will involve all units in the wing and include CBRNE and humanitarian relief operations. At this time, all exercises are scheduled to coincide with the Scarlet unit training assembly.

In the months prior to the exercises, WIT members will be offering input to the planners for scenario development. They will later evaluate the scenario and participate in the hot wash, providing input to the inspection report.

The WIT members are so important because they're subject matter experts, sworn-in by the wing commander, explained Maj. Denny Park, 445th Airlift Wing director of inspections. All team members complete a training course prior to serving. Members learn how to apply the observe, evaluate and report process, enabling them to provide the commander a clear, unbiased assessment of the wing's readiness to perform its mission.

Before the inception of the commander's inspection program, outside agencies evaluated operational readiness exercises and inspections. The new system gives commanders more control and is less resource-intensive. In addition to the major exercises, the WIT will also complete eight by-law and two no-notice inspections, covering everything from sexual assault prevention and response to trafficking in persons, during calendar year 2015.

"WIT team members find undetected non-compliance," said Park. "We want open and honest reporting and they examine strengths and deficiencies and recommend improvements. I'm looking forward to these exercises testing our capabilities and giving us validation on where we stand."