RAV 2: The sequel

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Ryan Labadens
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, MISS. --  During the July unit training assembly, Citizen Airmen of the 403rd Wing took the next step in preparing for the January 2012 Operational Readiness Inspection.

They geared up to deploy for the wing's Readiness Assistance Visit 2 held July 11-16 at the Air National Guard Combat Readiness Training Center, Savannah, Ga.

The RAV 2 is the halfway point to the ORI, which is designed to test the wing's deployment, employment and redeployment capabilities, as well as its ability to survive and operate and implement command and control procedures during wartime, said Maj. Kevin Green, 403rd Operations Support Flight planner and ORI warlord.

"Since April of last year, our training plan has developed along a crawl-walk-run concept," said Green. "Along the way we've had a bunch of training opportunities for our people's different skill sets and tied those together with local 403rd Wing exercises."

There are several significant differences between the RAV 1 performed here during the March UTA and the RAV 2, said Green.

"For RAV 1, only the 403rd members were players and 22nd Air Force came out to help facilitate," he said. "For RAV 2, 22nd Air Force will facilitate again, but 4th Air Force will also facilitate, and the 433rd and 165th Airlift Wings will participate as well. This is the first opportunity for all of us to come together to participate in some aspect."

Another main difference is that RAV 2 players perform more hands-on activities than what they did with the limited time for RAV 1, said Green. This includes hardening facilities with sandbags to protect against simulated attacks, blacking out windows and building simulated bunkers like those used for the ORI.

One first-time RAV 2 deployer, Senior Airman Lakenya Dolison, 403rd Force Support Squadron food services craftsman, said she looks forward to the experience she hopes to gain.

"It'll be interesting to see how I can apply what I already know, to learn new things and see what I still need to work on," said Dolison.

The 403rd deployed the bulk of the players for the RAV 2 - about 265 members. The 433rd sent about 67 players to serve mostly on the Exercise Evaluation Team and Crisis Action Team, while the 165th provided about 20 to work in the Command and Control areas, said Green.

This is also the first time the wing will be able to "position the force," he said.

"This is essential for our logistics guys because it allows them to palletize our cargo and properly document and inspect it so it can be loaded onto the airplanes," said Green. "It also ensures personnel have accurate mobility folders and the proper gear and equipment."

The key to accomplishing these tasks is the wing's installation deployment plan, which is heavily dependent on cooperation between the 403rd and its host unit, the 81st Training Wing, said Green.

"Even though this is the 403rd's operation, we have to integrate and work with the 81st to get us out of town and bring us back home," he said.

The 403rd Wing Commander Col. Jay Jensen praised the 81st TRW for assisting the 403rd to deploy for RAV 2.

"The 81st are key players in getting the 403rd mobilized," said Jensen. "This is truly a team effort."

Editor's note: 22nd Air Force is located at Dobbins Air Force Base, Ga., 4th Air Force is located at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., the 433rd Airlift Wing is stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas and the 165th AW at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, Ga.