March ORE tested wing's capabilities

Dressed in chemical warfare protective clothing, a 442nd Fighter Wing A-10 Thunderbolt II crew chief salutes an A-10, and its pilot, as it taxis out for an operational readiness exercise mission during the wing's March 2009, unit training assembly. The 442nd FW, an Air Force Reserve Command unit based at Whiteman AFB, Missouri, used the exercise to train its members to be able to continue to operate in all warfare environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bill Huntington) Hi-res

by Staff Sgt. Kent Kagarise
442nd Fighter Wing

3/27/2009 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- The 442nd Fighter Wing was tasked to fly 111 sorties in 48 hours during their Operational Readiness Exercise, March 13 and 14.

It was a mission with many obstacles and required the efforts of many Airmen to keep the A-10 Warthogs flying their scheduled missions.

The flight line was a busy place with various teams doing a variety of jobs to overcome the odds.

"We've been busy going back and forth to the bomb dump, but it's all coming together. We only have five drivers so we gotta keep moving," said Staff Sgt. Zachary Dryer, line driver.

Although the pressures of the job were high, weapons load teams found a way to cope.

"We just don't stop. You keep a steady pace. 111 sorties in 48 hours -- can we do it? I'd say we have a good chance," said Tech. Sgt. Randall Kennedy, loader.

"The way I see it we don't have a choice," he said. "We gotta make it happen -- right?"

Tech. Sgt. Scott Avery, another loader, talked about the camaraderie built during a training exercise of this magnitude.

"From our stand-point things are going great right now. I love this stuff," Sergeant Avery said. "It's stress, but its good stress when you're working with a lot of guys who all know their job."

Staff Sgt. Nick McRoberts, an A-10 crew chief working with the loaders, explained how things had been pretty easy without having to go to mission oriented protection posture level four but added that he expected MOPP four at any moment.

"111 sorties in 48 hours for some might sound absurd," Sergeant McRoberts said, "but it's attainable."

"Non-broke aircraft come to us and we get [them] back in the air as soon as possible. That's our mission to accomplish," Staff Sgt. Richard Fennewald, a weapons load crew member said, "There are times where a guy can lose track of time. We keep a pretty positive attitude along with a sense of urgency and have a lot of fun with it."

A few A-10 crew chiefs huddled together in heated simulated bunkers on the flight line and discussed the day's events.

"The stress hasn't been too bad yet, but it'll pick up, you can bet on that," Staff Sgt. Donald Johnston, A-10 crew chief, said. "I'm looking forward to the chemical attacks at any second. So far the weather's been our worst enemy, but the heater in here sure helps,"

No matter the MOPP level, the A-10 crews were ready to adapt and overcome all forms of adversity.

"If we are in MOPP four and actively engaged in a launch or recovery, we'll drive on until the job at hand is done and then head for a bunker," said Staff Sgt. Jason McLendon, A-10 crew chief.

"Keeping a positive mental attitude is very important so we joke around a lot. All things considered it's a full day so at the end of the day it's all about resting up for tomorrow,' Sergeant McLendon added.



Dressed in chemical warfare protective clothing while participating in an operational readiness exercise, Staff Sgt. Greg Guebert, a 442nd Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels specialist, unwinds a refueling hose to be attached to an 442nd Fighter Wing A-10 Thunderbolt II as crew chief, Tech. Sgt. Pete Melby, 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, waits by the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bill Huntington) Hi-res



Covered in protective plastic while participating in a simulated chemical warfare exercise, a 303rd Fighter Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt II pilot leaves the flight line following a training mission during the 442nd Fighter Wing's unit training assembly. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bill Huntington) Hi-res



Driving a motorized bomb loader while participating in a simulated chemical warfare exercise, Tech. Sgt. Randall Kennedy, a 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew chief, raises an inert training bomb into position to be secured to an A-10 Thunderbolt II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bill Huntington) Hi-res








While participating in a simulated chemical warfare exercise, Master Sgt. Ken McKee, a 442nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron weapons load crew member, signals to fellow crew member, Tech. Sgt. Randall Kennedy, as they move an inert training bomb to be secured to a 442nd Fighter Wing A-10 Thunderbolt II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bill Huntington) Hi-res

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