Active duty and Reservists exercise together

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  • By Public Affairs staff
  • 419th Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  Mid-October marked another milestone in the Total Force Integration of the 419th and 388th Fighter Wings as personnel from both units donned their chem gear for their first-ever, joint Operational Readiness Exercise.

The Phase-2 ORE kicked off on Thursday, Oct. 11, continued through the 419th FW's Unit Training Assembly weekend, and ended Sunday Oct. 14.

The ORE, which took about six months to plan, was designed to simulate operations at a deployed location, but its primary focus was to test how both units worked together under stressful circumstances.

The wings have been functionally integrated for a little more than three months and the ORE marked the first time many of the wing's 1,200 reservists had the opportunity to work side-by-side with personnel from the 388th FW.

"This exercise was designed with the primary objective being to learn how each other operates, to see how we would work together under the pressure of an exercise," said Lt. Col. Rudy Tessnow, 419th Inspector General. "This was a very educational opportunity for us."

As with any exercise, the units wanted to learn their strengths and improve on weaknesses, but this first-time, joint ORE was more about relationship building and becoming acquainted.

"We learned a lot about each other in this," Colonel Tessnow said. "And, we discovered that we actually operate very well together."

The Operations and Maintenance personnel worked side by side to accomplish the flying mission. Everyone on the ramp was very focused on getting the jets launched, recovered and repaired, Colonel Tessnow said.

To the casual on-looker, the reservists and active duty personnel blended together effortlessly.

"Without knowing it, you would think the active-duty and Reservists have worked together for years," said Col. Todd Harmer, 388th FW vice commander. "Everyone was prepared and focused on the mission."

During the ORE, Chief Master Sgt. Elizabeth Atisme, the 419th FW command chief, spent a good amount of time visiting Airmen in shops throughout both wings, and was impressed with how well the joint exercise was played.

"It appeared that it was a cohesive team," Chief Atisme said. "Everyone seemed to complement each other. You couldn't see the unit patch underneath their chem gear anyway."

This exercise was the first step in preparing wings for future joint OREs, and eventually a joint ORI, in which they will be evaluated together.

Colonel Gary Batinich, 419th Fighter Wing commander, said he saw the power of teamwork demonstrated throughout the exercise.

"When we do come together like this, the operation is seamless," he said. "It doesn't matter if you're a reservist, active duty, or civilian. We've got great people who do great work, either by themselves or together, and the future is together."

The next joint 419th and 388th FW ORE is slated for spring.

"We expect even more integration and improvement in combat capability as we exercise together next time too," said Mr. Dayne Jacoby, 388th FW deputy chief of plans and exercises.

The Total Force Integration of the 419th and 388th Fighter Wings is part of an Air Force initiative aimed at increasing combat capabilities and efficiencies among like units while capitalizing on the high experience levels of Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard personnel.

Total Force Integration between Hill's fighter wings is the Air Force test case for future fighter associate programs.