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20th FW trains during ORE

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jensen Stidham
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C --  Airmen from across the 20th Fighter Wing participated in an operational readiness exercise here, Nov. 19 to 22, simulating a deployment to "Base X."

Airmen assigned to the 20th FW need to be ready to deploy at a moment's notice. The recent exercise simulated the ability to rapidly deploy and maintain the mission at another location.

"Exercises like this prepare Airmen to be in a deployed environment while still doing their job," said Master Sgt. Andre Percell, 20th Comptroller Squadron financial services flight chief.

Being in a deployed environment, Airmen face different types of situations than they would at their home base.

"The main challenge I faced was figuring out what my team's [strengths and weakness'] were," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Trammell, 20th Contracting Squadron contingency contract officer. "Once I figured that out, we were able to effectively work together and get the job done."

During the exercise, many Airmen remained in their respective work areas, while many were grouped with Airmen from different career fields, having to create a new cohesive unit.

Not only did Airmen face challenges of working together with different career fields, but for some they learned what their job looks like from a different perspective.

"Exercises like this teach you new aspects of your job that you might not have dealt with before," said Trammell. "It shows Airmen that have never been deployed what will be expected of them when they do."

At their building on Base X, 20th CPTS, 20th CONS and public affairs Airmen came together to form a cohesive unit, in addition to performing their career-specific duties. Simulated contengiency situations encountered by the group included being robbed, sustaining injuries, chemical warfare attacks and ground attacks.

"It was a good experience," said Trammell. "I am a better contracting officer because of the things I learned."