Photo By Senior Airman Ivy Thomas | A Wing Inspection Team evaluates aircrews on the flight line during Operation Buckeye...... read more read more
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RICKENBACKER AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ohio- The 121st Air Refueling Wing participated in Operation Buckeye Resolve at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio, May 16, 2024.
"Operation Buckeye Resolve is a readiness exercise validation to ensure we are ready for the next fight," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Haley, the inspector general at the 121 ARW. "It's a three-day, 24/7 operation involving everyone on base."
Conducting a REV allows inspectors from Air Mobility Command IG and 121 ARW IG to evaluate the base's readiness and nuclear deterrence capabilities to successfully fulfill the 121st vision of being masters of airpower, safeguarding liberty and security for Ohio and the United States of America.
There was a day shift and a night shift. Airmen had to learn to do tasks in the dark and operate without their leadership while integrating Agile Combat Employment training capabilities.
"Our tactics are changing all the time, and our enemies are changing all the time; technology is changing all the time; we have to prove that we are ready when we go out the door at any time," said Haley.
In the face of numerous unpredictable challenges from the inspectors, 121 ARW Airmen demonstrated impressive decision-making.
"We are looking for thinkers, down to the lowest level, making decisions; if you can't get to your commander, what do I do here? You already know what to do; make a decision and go," said Haley. "They did an excellent job."
"We make it hard on purpose," said Haley. "We will cut power, flatten tires, turn off computers, etc., just to make it harder, so when we have to do it for real, you've felt that stress and pain, and you still focus and get the mission done."
During this exercise, the 121 ARW worked through many injects to demonstrate various aspects of the wing's mission, including deployment processing, loading and launching aircraft, defending the base, emergency and attack procedures, and casualty care.
The 121 ARW always looks for ways to prepare for the next fight and increase readiness.
"The 121st Air Refueling Wing is filled with professionals who know their job," said Haley. "We want to stress whether we must change training, tactics, equipment, or technology. So, we are testing to ensure people are doing their jobs, but we are also evaluating ourselves and how we can improve."
Readiness exercise validations are essential to the 121 ARW mission of prepare-deter-execute.
| Date Taken: | 05.16.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 06.27.2024 07:26 |
| Story ID: | 474810 |
| Location: | COLUMBUS, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 69 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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