Wolf Pack practices ATSO during ORE

  • Published
  • 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The Wolf Pack began Operational Readiness Exercise Beverly Midnight 11-02 here March 13 to practice the ability to survive and operate one last time before the Operational Readiness Inspection in April.

"We know we can get the mission done, so we're focusing on the ATSO areas that require more attention to detail. That is what separates us from 'satisfactory' to 'excellent,' and even better 'outstanding,'" said Col. John Dolan, 8th Fighter Wing commander.

Applying hands-on practice drove the scenarios for this exercise, as facilities and equipment from the flight line to the clinic were labeled "contaminated."

"Compared to the last exercises, the exercise evaluation team injected more contaminated buildings and pieces of equipment in dispersed areas across the base," said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Ackerman, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron. "This forces the wing to apply those basic principles, and to be more cognizant of their surroundings."

Readiness and emergency management professionals offered a few helpful hints for this exercise, the ORI and possible wartime environments.

- When donning mission oriented protective posture 4 outdoors, do not place gear on the ground, especially the grass. If the ground is contaminated, the gear will be too.

- When in MOPP 4 outdoors, avoid kneeling on the ground.

- When moving, check with your unit control center for which zones, buildings and pieces of equipment are in fact contaminated and what phase it is in.

- When facilities or equipment are contaminated, make sure it is properly marked on all four sides and especially visible in high-traffic areas.

- When approaching contaminated facilities or equipment during the initial phase, don MOPP 4 before approaching within 10 feet of the object.

- When inside a vehicle and approaching a contaminated facility or piece of equipment during initial phase, turn off ventilation and don MOPP 4 before exiting the vehicle within 10 feet of the contaminated facility or equipment.

- Remember, a contaminated hardened aircraft shelter has an "open-door policy" during the initial phase for mission continuation. When the HAS doors are fully open, members may enter the facility in a lower MOPP level as long as they stay more than 10 feet away from the outer walls of the structure. Members who approach or work within 10 feet of the outer walls must don MOPP 4.

For more helpful tips, refer to your Kunsan ATSO Rodeo Guide or the Readiness Roundup here.