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Hill ORI highlights total force

  • Published
  • By Kari Tilton
  • 419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  419th Fighter Wing reservists will join their active duty counterparts for a rigorous test of wartime capability during an Operational Readiness Inspection here Oct. 28-Nov. 6.

The ORI is the first for the wing since its Total Force Integration with Hill's active duty 388th Fighter Wing in 2007. The wings are the Air Force's model fighter associate program.

"Our ongoing partnership with the 388th and the joint nature of the upcoming ORI represent the Air Force's total force vision," said Col. Walter "Buck" Sams, 419th FW commander. "We work side by side as a unified force, sharing the same equipment, priorities and goals."

During the ORI, nearly 200 higher headquarters evaluators will conduct a meticulous review of Hill Airmen's cooperative ability to deploy, respond to emergency situations, and their capacity to survive and operate in an austere environment.

Opportunities for reserve Airmen to be evaluated with active duty personnel are essential given reservists are contributing to ongoing contingency operations as never before, according to Lt. Col. Mike Cutter, chief of plans for the 419th FW.

"There's no distinction between an active duty member and a reservist when deployed - they do the same jobs in the same conditions and they're trained to the same standards," Colonel Cutter said.

Currently, nearly 7,000 Air Force Reservists are deployed around the globe, according to the latest numbers out of Air Force Reserve Command. This year alone, hundreds of 419th personnel have deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Since 9/11, nearly 2,000 members of the 419th have deployed - most of them as volunteers.

"Every day 419th reservists are successfully achieving the Air Force's Total Force vision, both here at Hill and while serving abroad. The ORI is just another opportunity for us to step up as unrivaled wingmen," Colonel Sams said.