GULFPORT, Miss. - More than 700 members of the Louisiana Air National Guard's 159th Fighter Wing finished their week-long training of operational readiness here at the Trent Lott Combat Readiness Training Center today.
The operational readiness exercises represent real-world deployments to combat zones. The fighter wing completed its Operational Readiness Inspection Phase I with an excellent rating and will now prepare for Phase II.
Operational and survival skills were tested during the exercise. Guardsmen wore protective over-garments and equipment during simulated attacks and continued completing their missions, such as maintaining force at a deployed location while launching and recovering jets. Practically all elements of the wing were represented to include communications, personnel, logistics, medical, services and aircraft maintenance.
"This is a good opportunity to train," said Staff Sgt. Lanitra Reed, who works as a Post Attack Reconnaissance Team member. "We are doing everything we will have to do in the final inspection."
Col. Roy V. Qualls, the unit commander, said, "I am very proud of the outstanding performance by the entire wing."
About 25 Guard members from other states volunteered to participate in the exercise as evaluators and instructors. As experts in their field, they were able to share their knowledge with the fighter wing.
The wing was scheduled for an ORI Phase II in 2005, but it was delayed due to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The new inspection date is scheduled for early 2010.