73rd APS sets bar high for ORI

  • Published
  • By SrA Melissa Harvey
  • 301st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
NAS FORT WORTH JRB --  The 73rd Aerial Port Squadron is leading the way in excellence after successfully passing an operational readiness inspection with an excellent rating in their ability to survive and operate.

The 73rd participated in an ORI in conjunction with the 6th Air Mobility Wing and 927th Air Refueling Wing, both from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., at the Combat Readiness Training Center, Savannah, Ga., Jan. 22 through Jan. 29, 2011.

The 73rd APS had their ORI separate from the 301st Fighter Wing because they are an Air Mobility Command unit and are required to do their ORI with other AMC wings, according to Captain Jeremy Moore, the flight commander of the 73rd APS air terminal operations center.

Their mission during the ORI was to, "Perform aerial port operations and to receive and deploy the 6th Air Mobility Wing and 927th Air Refueling Wing," Captain Moore said. "We are the first in, last out."

The 73rd APS not only participated in their respective areas of expertise, but also supported the entire ORI by taking on unexpected additional ATSO duties. A total of 41 people from the 73rd APS participated, supporting 24-hour operations with two shifts.

During each shift, two people were tasked with unit control center and facility manager responsibilities, seven to the quick-reaction force, four to a PAR team, while the remaining individuals performed aerial port duties and patriot details.

ATSO shifts averaged 12 hours, while APS shifts were 14 hours. Even though they did not train for these additional duties, since they were tasked with them at the eleventh hour, they were also graded, according to Captain Moore.

The 73rd APS rose to the challenge and was honored by four of its members receiving coins from the inspector general. The four individuals coined were Captain Moore; Tech. Sgt. Brian Williams, the assistant non-commissioned officer in charge at the 73rd ATOC; Staff Sgt. Theresa Pierce, an air transportation specialist for the 73rd APS; and Staff Sgt. Kelly Sobieski, also an air transportation specialist for the 73rd APS.

Sergeant Sobieski was coined for her high performance and disseminating information in an efficient and effective manner, she said. This was the first ORI she had participated in.

While the ORI may not be exactly what someone will face when deployed, "It gets to the seriousness of what we face as an Airman today," Sergeant Sobieski said.

"One individual can make a difference in morale and camaraderie," she said.

Sergeant Williams, advises others to "Stay on top of the situation," he said. "Stay focused on the job."

Members of the 73rd APS are not the only ones to benefit from their ORI experience.

The 301st Fighter Wing will benefit from the 73rd APS's experiences during its ORI early next year. Specifically for the ATSO part of the inspection, as they were the first of the last nine AMC units to receive an excellent, Captain Moore said.

One lesson that will be shared from the inspection is, "overall communication is key," he said.

The 73rd will also be a part of the exercise evaluation team for the 301st FW during the ATSO section of the wing's exercises to prepare for its inspection.

In the end, the 73rd APS was honored as a squadron, by Chief Master Sgt. Dale Place, an inspector during the ORI.

"I would go to the war with the 73rd APS anywhere, anytime," he said.