ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
A mobility exercise, or MOBEX, is key to ensuring every deployment is a success and requires hours of work and collaboration from Team Andrews. The 316th Wing, 89th Airlift Wing, 779th Medical Group and 744th Communications Squadron will all play important roles in simulating a mass deployment exercise Aug. 28 to Sept. 4.
"The 316th Logistics Readiness Squadron plays a significant role in the movement of troops on Andrews and the Installation Deployment Readiness Cell, called the IDRC, provides command and control for all deployment support," said Lisa Mulrine, 316 LRS IDRC installation deployment officer. "We are the wheels behind the machine."
Even though the 316 LRS may be the wheels, other parts are essential for the machine to run. MOBEX allows all of the other parts to work together to ensure the machine can and does work. Most of the deployments on Andrews are individuals; unit moves are rare, but MOBEX allows the groups involved in the deployment process the chance to make sure they know their part.
"We deploy members on a daily basis, but unit moves are few and far between," Ms. Mulrine said. "(MOBEX) affords the LRS the opportunity to push our limits, find our strengths and weaknesses and improve on a very dynamic process,"
Like the 316 WG, the 89 AW is immersed in preparations for next week's MOBEX events, as well.
"This is our third and final full-scale exercise to prepare the 89th for our Operational Readiness Inspection," said Maj. Brian Fairweather, 89 AW plans and programs chief. "This exercise is not just an 89 AW exercise. It takes innumerable man-hours and countless people in the 316 WG and the 779 MDG to make this happen."
Major Fairweather explained that the Airmen in the 316 WG have the task of making sure that personnel are qualified and ready, both financially and spiritually, for deployment. They also make sure that all equipment is in proper working order. The 779 MDG, on the other hand, ensures that Team Andrews members are physically ready, fit for deployment and have all their required immunizations.
"This may be preparations for an 89 AW inspection, but it is an installation effort," Major Fairweather said.
Like Major Fairweather, the commander of the 89 AW, Col. Steven B. Harrison, explained why he thinks MOBEX is important from the base and wing perspective.
"The ORI goes to the heart of one of our primary missions - deploying mission ready warfighters," Colonel Harrison said. "It's also one of the capabilities to which General Schwartz refers to when he states, 'The Air Force is all in!'"
Colonel Harrison explained that the Airmen are focused on perfecting their expeditionary skills, checking their equipment and ensuring they are prepared.
"Of course, we are best when Team Andrews is great," Colonel Harrison said. "We are teaming with the outstanding professionals of the 316 WG and the 779 MDG to exercise the deployment functions of Andrews in a manner consistent with our motto, 'SAM FOX ... Perfection is Our Standard.'"
"The 89 AW Airmen received classroom and field Ability To Survive and Operate training with the 316 Civil Engineer Squadron," Major Fairweather said. "They also have received tailored weapons training with the 316th Security Forces Squadron."
The work of deploying does not rest only with the Airmen who actually deploy. The 316 WG IDRC has to review the unit's mobility folders and the Unit Deployment Managers' programs to make sure all paperwork is in accordance with AFIs.
"The 744 CS has worked to make sure we all have the right software on our computers to accomplish this task," Major Fairweather explained. "This is truly a team effort."
The 89 AW will send more than 200 Airmen through the mobility line to fulfill the "Initial Response" requirement.