Wing gets it done, declared mission ready

  • Published
  • By Maj. Heather Newcomb
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
Alarm red, MOPP four, FPCON Charlie, ROE Eagle!

Those were just some of the words heard echoing over the giant voice at the Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Miss., Jan. 31 to Feb. 4 as the 403rd Wing proved its combat readiness during the Operational Readiness Inspection.

On Feb. 9, the Wing received its grade, deeming it "mission ready" by Air Mobility Command Inspector General staff.

"The 403rd is a combat ready wing with great morale," said Col. John Quinn, AMC IG team lead. "You guys are good to go." Quinn led the IG inspectors who graded Wing members on their ability to conduct their wartime mission.

The Wing was put to the test alongside the 433rd Airlift Wing, San Antonio, Texas, and the 165th Airlift Wing, Savannah, Ga.

"This was tough ... putting three wings together and blending them together was a super big challenge," said Col. Jay Jensen, 403rd Wing commander.

Although the challenge was tough, the Airmen of the 403rd proved to be tougher.
 Outstanding teams and individuals were named and received recognition for a job well done.

"Be proud of what you did. I'm exceptionally proud of you," Jensen said in a message to the Airmen who participated in the ORI. "You guys are ready, ready for war, ready to get it done. Thank you for your efforts."

Outstanding team honors went to:
ADAT and MOS Cell Team - 403rd Civil Engineer Squadron -
Staff Sgts. Pedro Alvarez, James Burns, and Ryan McGoldrick

C-130J Aircrew Team - 815th Airlift Squadron -
Maj. Eric Chapman, Capt. Kevin Olson, Master Sgt. Joseph Helm IV, and Tech. Sgt. Chris Israel

CE Unit Control Center Day Shift Team - 403rd CES -
Capt. David Stanford, Chief Master Sgt. Eugene Wilcox, Jr., and Tech. Sgt. Dennis King

CE UCC Night Shift Team - 403rd CES -
Tech. Sgt. Daisy Grotsma

Damage Assessment and Repair Team - 403rd CES -
Tech. Sgts. Dalvin Green and Clayton Pilgrim, and Staff Sgt. Matthew Lowe

Logistics Command and Control Cell Team - 403rd Logistics Readiness Squadron - 1st Lt. Elishama Ouder and Senior Master Sgt. Tonya Taplin

LRS UCC Night Shift Team - 403rd LRS -
Maj. Rodney McCraine

Security Forces Telephone Operator Team - 403rd Security Forces Squadron -
Tech. Sgt. Christopher Keckler and Staff Sgt. Gabriella Hickman

IG coins went to:
Capt. Joseph Wilson, 403rd LRS
Tech. Sgt. Daisy Grostma, 403rd CES
Senior Airman Daniel Brown, Jr., 403rd CES

Individual recognition went to:
Senior Master Sgt. John Kittrell, 815th AS
Master Sgt. Chasity Roush, 815th AS
Master Sgt. Duane Bourgeois, 345th AS
Tech. Sgt. Michael Coleman, 403rd CES
Tech. Sgt. Katherine Eaton, 403rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Jonathan Levesque, 403rd Maintenance Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Stacey McDonald, 403rd ASTS
Tech. Sgt. John Raynes, 403rd SFS
Senior Airman Tamekia Foley, 403rd Communications Flight