ORI results good news for wing

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  An undercurrent of excitement ran through a packed house at Eglin's Heritage Hall as more than 600 Airmen, civic leaders and supporters of the 96th Air Base Wing waited for the results of its Operational Readiness Inspection.

The ORI, led by 52 inspectors from Air Force Material Command, was the culmination of more than six months of preparation in four major graded areas. The units were scored using a five-tier rating scale - outstanding, excellent, satisfactory, marginal and unsatisfactory. While the ratings in specific areas cannot be released, the wing results for positioning the force, employing the force, sustaining the force and the ability to survive and operate, can--and it is all good news.

A grin on commander Col. Sal Nodjomian's face gave the results away even as his prefaced his remarks to remind the audience that any grade of satisfactory or above equaled success. As slide after slide showed overall grades of excellent in all four areas, an electrified atmosphere swept the crowd, many of whom were key players in the four days of rigorous inspections.

According to the inspector general, the wing had the first 100 percent on-time aircraft departure they've ever seen in an ORI. The wing also deployed 60 Airmen on two chalks and all 60 beat the recommended donning times for simulated threat scenarios.

"We showed them why we get it right in the air base wing," Nodjomian said. "Our overall ability to do the tasks in these four major areas proved to the IG that we're excellent."
The colonel said the inspectors also reported they have never seen a wing sweep every graded area.

"This is just a phenomenal validation of what we've always known about our wing," he said. "Your attitude, urgency and enthusiasm were all part of how great you were at every one of your tasks. You did what you were asked to do in a brilliant manner."

Besides the overall rating, the IG recognized more than 200 ABW personnel as either an outstanding performer or a member of an outstanding team. Additionally, the IG singled out Tori Morris, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron for a coin for superior performance. Morris was recognized for her outstanding management and accountability skills during the deployment of unit mobility personnel.

Nodjomian also presented wing coins as special recognition to individuals in each group and staff agency for the role they played in either preparation or execution during the ORI. He also gave credit to his vice commander, Col. Tony Douglas, whose priority since his arrival in July was to ensure the wing's readiness. Douglas, in his best cheerleader form, reminded the crowd of his slogan in the months leading up to the ORI--"we're in the fight, let's get it right.

"We now have a new cheer for the wing, he said, "we fought the fight and we got it right."

For a list of outstanding performers, click on http://www.eglin.af.mil.