442nd Fighter Wing completes ORI

by Maj. David Kurle
442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/30/2009 - WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- After a rigorous operational readiness inspection an Air Combat Command inspector-general team has confirmed that the 442nd Fighter Wing is capable of carrying out its combat mission even though the wing will need to re-accomplish portions of the inspection at a later date.

"Be assured, the IG has confirmed we can build weapons, load weapons and deliver weapons," said 442nd FW Commander, Col. Mark Clemons, to the wing Oct. 29. "I stand proud and so should you."

Team members from the ACC IG spent six days at Whiteman to evaluate the 442nd Fighter Wing's ability to operate, maintain and support its fleet of A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft. The wing exercised for three days in a simulated combat environment fighting a mock war scripted by the IG team.

The wing's reservists prepared for more than 18 months for the inspection, which is an all inclusive examination of every unit in the 442nd.

In addition to numerous combat support deployments, the 442nd Fighter Wing has deployed aircraft, pilots, maintenance specialists and equipment four times to Iraq and Afghanistan since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

The wing's A-10 aircraft provide close air support for ground forces, as well as combat search and rescue, and forward-air-control capabilities.

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