TFI Success: Team Holloman Receives 'Excellent' ORI grade

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Sanja Allan
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN, NM --  The dust from the operational readiness inspection has settled and the 49th Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., received an "excellent" grade on its ability to quickly transition from peacetime readiness to a wartime posture and ability to rapidly deploy forces for major combat operations.

On April 26 and 27, Holloman Airmen demonstrated to the Air Combat Command Inspector General team their capability to rapidly deploy nine F-22 Raptors, 400 personnel and 226 short-tons of cargo to the Pacific and Central Command theaters of operation, while at the same time, local threat intelligence increased the wing' s force protection conditions.

Before the ORI took place, Col. David Krumm, 49th WG commander, initiated multiple exercises to prepare the wing for the tall task ahead of them, all of which the 44th Fighter Group played a significant role.

"We worked together as a team; there simply is no us or them" said Lt. Col. Scott Crogg, 44th Fighter Group commander. "The mission is all that matters when the IG rolls into town, and that was the focus."

It's the communication that makes all the difference, he said. There was a moment when 44th Maintenance Squadron leadership, based on his extensive experience, saw some processes that needed fixing and might mean the difference between success and failure. He up-channeled these concerns, and the 49th Wing implemented some of these improvements. This experience is the strength of the Reserve side of Total Force Integration, but means nothing without an open line of communication.

The 44th FG also played key roles for Team Holloman, serving as the deployed 7th Fighter Squadron commander, the deployed maintenance squadron commander, and the deployed maintenance superintendent.

"There truly is a great deal of trust between the ACC and AFRC forces here ... we are one team," Colonel Crogg said.

Colonel Krumm said the inspectors could not differentiate between active duty and Reservists. They seamlessly work together to drive the mission. TFI is a success at Holloman.
The 49th WG had not been inspected since 2004 and, as the Inspector General informed the base commander, 95 percent of the wings who haven't been inspected over a long period of time fail the inspection.

Colonel Krumm told the IG, "You're looking at the other five percent."

And throughout the inspection, Holloman proved to the team, with their 'All In' state of mind, they were indeed among the top five percent.

The IG Team chief, Col. R.C. Craig, pointed out Holloman's attitude and performance drove the wing over the top.

"During this ORI, we saw the Fightin' 49ers' tremendous pride and professionalism that was devoted to rapid generation and deployment of combat air power," he said. "These characteristics impacted positively on our assessment of your wing' s readiness."

"I can't express in words how proud I am of each of you," Colonel Krumm said. "I am honored and humbled to be counted as one of you. You truly are 'One Team -- Combat Ready.'"