ORI, what is it all about? Published July 16, 2010 By Capt. Shane Huff 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- This will be my first time participating in an Operational Readiness Inspection, better known as an ORI. I have found out that I am not alone in this learning curve of what an ORI is about and what is expected of me as a participant. In talking with members from around our wing, it seems that there is a mix of experienced and non-experienced participants. Whether you are new or rusty, to the ORI experience, the following Q&A out of the Spring 2010 edition of TIG Brief - The Official Magazine of the Air Force Inspector General, and words of wisdom from fellow ORI experienced Airmen, may be helpful. What does the IG focus on while conducting an ORI and how is it graded? The IG teams focus on mission performance while attempting to create a realistic environment for evaluation while ensuring safety is not compromised. ORI scenarios evaluate base operations, contingency response and sustained performance. An ORI is rated based on the overall inspection performance, readiness of major graded areas and sub-areas using the five-tier scale of outstanding, excellent, satisfactory, marginal and unsatisfactory. Who is subjected to an ORI? At a minimum, ORI's are conducted on all wing and wing equivalent units with a wartime, contingency or force sustainment mission at an interval of no more than 60 months. What are the readiness major graded areas (MGAs) a base is evaluated on during an ORI? Units with a wartime or contingency mission are rated on positioning the force, employing the force, sustaining the force, and the ability to survive and operate (ATSO) in a hostile environment and/or contaminated chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear environment (CBRN). What is the difference among the four MGAs? Positioning the force is the deployment, reception and beddown of tailored and prioritized forces. Employing the force is the conduct and support of air and space operations from a base or forward location to include: generating forces to combat or operational levels; providing timely information and intelligence dissemination; launching, recovering, or regenerating operational elements; planning for force replacement to continue operations; preserving installation security; wartime materiel support. Sustaining the force is the ability to maintain and prolong combat support to all users for the duration of the operation. Lastly, ATSO evaluates a unit's ability to conduct the full range of contingency operations, either in a stand alone, joint, or coalition forces operating environment, while simultaneously responding to or recovering from enemy attack, state/non-state use of CBRN weapons, major accidents, natural disasters, or hazardous material incidents using the Air Force Incident Management System. Some of our experienced members give advice to new ORI participants: "Be very flexible, ask a lot of questions, and try not to get wound up." -Master Sgt. William Smoot, 927th Aeromedical Staging Squadron "Be ready and know your stuff." -Chief Master Sgt. Denise Butler, 927th Aerospace Medicine Flight "Study the Airman's Manual and take care of your wingman." - Senior Master Sgt. John Walker, 927th Maintenance Squadron "Listen carefully and make sure you are diligent about getting your requirements accomplished. You will have memorable stories." -Master Sgt. Kathy McNeil, 927th Force Support Squadron "The key to planning for a successful ORI is preparation, preparation, preparation...to ensure all players are current on readiness and training requirements. The key to executing a successful ORI is for players at every level in the organization to perform with an attitude that inspires teamwork and creates a momentum of synergy that is so strong failure is not an option. Show up prepared, with a warrior's spirit and a desire to do whatever it takes to win." - Col. Gerald Vowell, Commander, 927th Mission Support Group It is clear that participants playing in the ORI are expected to show up knowing specific information such as Mission Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP), attack warning signals for chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives, contamination control, and self-aid and buddy care, just to name a few. All of these, along with other must-know information, can be found in your AFPAM 10-100 Airman's Manual, a must-have handbook to be studied before and during an ORI.