Readying warriors

Instructor Ted Hunter explains post-attack reconnaissance procedures during recent Warrior Day training in Bldg. 1115. One-hour classes in Self Aid/Buddy Care, weapons, and correct wearing of personal protective gear, help Airmen like 1st Lt. Tiji Allen, left, and Staff Sgt. Michelle Murphy, stay sharp on the basics. Lieutenant Allen and Sergeant Murphy are with the 72nd Force Support Squadron, Military Personnel Section. (Air Force photo/Margo Wright)

Readying warriors

Published Feb. 12, 2009
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- In the military, readiness is the name of the game. And, the 72nd Air Base Wing Exercise Program Office wants to ensure its Airmen are prepared for exercises, deployments and the unknown. Warrior Day training courses, which prepare Airmen for such events, occur here throughout the year.

The most recent grouping of courses wrapped Feb. 3 and taught Airmen about chemical-warfare masks, post-attack reconnaissance, Self Aid/Buddy Care, weapons handling and safety. Several of its students are now participating in "War Wagon 09-02," a nine-day exercise which evaluates the implementation of learned skills.

"It's important training for those that may deploy or, secondarily, those that maybe tasked to participate in higher-headquarters inspection," said Paul Logan, exercise designer for the exercise program office.

Warrior Day training consists of two parts - online classes and hands-on classroom lessons. Prior to arriving at Warrior Day classroom lesson, Airmen must complete the online Airman's Manual class, 10-100. Separated into different sections, Mr. Logan said an Airman must pass nine tests.

Once in the classroom, Airmen will learn four skills over the course of a half day. The purpose of Warrior Day training is three-fold. It teaches Airmen skills should they be deployed or recruited for an exercise, and it also keeps them prepared for limited-notice and no-notice inspections.

The no-notice inspection concept, which Air Force Materiel Command officials launched Feb. 1, means the Air Force inspector general's office can give an installation as much as 14 days notice or absolutely no warning. And, upon arrival, an IG can perform targeted compliance inspections, targeted readiness inspections, nuclear surety inspections, logistics standardization evaluation team inspections or a combination of them. They can also, though unlikely, perform full-up operational readiness inspections, unit compliance inspections and nuclear surety inspections.

"With the new AFMC no-notice inspection concept, we need to continue to ensure all of our personnel are ready," Mr. Logan said.

To date, approximately 500 out of 1,200 Tinker's AFMC Airmen have completed the annual course for fiscal year 2009. The next Warrior Day training course is scheduled for April, but officials may add some classes in March.