Wing earns 'Satisfactory' on ORI

  • Published
  • By by Maj. Krista DeAngelis
  • 151st ARW Public Affairs
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah --  Members of the 151st Air Refueling Wing, Utah Air National Guard, were presented a special Valentine's Day gift on Feb. 14 as inspectors from Headquarters Air Mobility Command announced the wing's receipt of a "Satisfactory" passing grade on their Operational Readiness Inspection. 

Airmen blew party horns and cheered as the results were announced during an ORI presentation at the ANG base. 

"This ORI shows you are absolutely ready to do your mission," said Brig. Gen. Donald Lustig, Inspector General, AMC Headquarters. "It is clearly evident that this grade is not luck...and I'm proud of each and every one of you." 

Approximately 300 Airmen from the Utah ANG deployed to the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, Miss. to participate in the ORI from Jan. 27 to Feb. 1, 2008. During that time, the wing was tested in several areas, including initial response (generating aircraft, processing people and cargo, etc.), employment, mission support and the Ability to Survive and Operate. 

"I'm absolutely tickled by our performance in all the areas," said Col. Kelvin Findlay, 151st ARW commander. "This is the first ORI our wing has done as a whole in over 11 years, so I'm so proud of the teamwork and dedication of everyone who contributed to this inspection." 

General Lustig expressed his understanding of what it takes to get ready for an ORI. 

"We know getting ready for an ORI is tough work," he said. "We know wearing gas masks is not fun...but we also know that we have outstanding Senior NCO leadership, and I want to recognize them for that."

While the wing received an overall grade of "Satisfactory" on the inspection, several teams received special "Team" recognition from the inspectors, to include: the Civil Engineer Damage and Repair Team, the Financial Management Team, the Security Forces Flight Leadership Team and the Security Forces Generation Area Close Boundary Team. Several members also received coins for their performance, to include: Tech Sgt. Justin Frasche, 151st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; Capt. Ricardo Rodrigues, 191st Operations Support Flight; Master Sgt. David Neal, 151st Maintenance Group; and Staff Sgt. Amanda Johnson, 191st Air Refueling Squadron. 

The Utah ANG will not be scheduled for another ORI until 2013.