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Team Rhody is Mission Ready

By Master Sgt. Janeen Miller, 143d AW/PA / Published September 28, 2012

Colonel (Col) Arthur Floru, Commander of the 143d Airlift Wing (AW), Rhode Island Air National Guard (RIANG) and the simulated 125th Air Expeditionary Wing located at Alpena Combat (CRTC), Michigan, keeps operational control of the Wing from a simulated bunker during a simulated attack. The 125th AEW is comprised of members from the 143d AW, the 107th AW of Niagara, New York, and the 914th AW also of Niagara, NY. The units have joined forces for their Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI). National Guard Photo by Tech Sgt Jason Long (RELEASED)
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Colonel (Col) Arthur Floru, Commander of the 143d Airlift Wing (AW), Rhode Island Air National Guard (RIANG) and the simulated 125th Air Expeditionary Wing located at Alpena Combat (CRTC), Michigan, keeps operational control of the Wing from a simulated bunker during a simulated attack. The 125th AEW is comprised of members from the 143d AW, the 107th AW of Niagara, New York, and the 914th AW also of Niagara, NY. The units have joined forces for their Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI). National Guard Photo by Tech Sgt Jason Long (RELEASED)

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08/01/2012 -- This summer the 143d Airlift Wing joined forces with the 107th Airlift Wing and the 914th Air Reserve Wing, both of Niagara, New York, to form the 125th Air Expeditionary Wing for an Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI). After well over a year of planning and coordination, home station and fly-away exercises, thousands of sandbags, and plenty of Meals-Ready-To-Eat the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Inspector General (IG) has rated the 143d Airlift Wing - Mission Ready!

The IG team arrived at Quonset ANGB on 18 July where the inspection process began. On 19 and 20 July approximately 300 members of the 143d flew to Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC), Michigan for the deployed portion of the inspection. During an ORI the members of the team are expected to deploy and redeploy personnel and associated equipment, support and protect deployed forces, and respond to an evolving series of Ability To Survive and Operate (ATSO) events. Through hard work and dedication the team was able to get the job done successfully under the most extreme circumstances. At the out brief, held at the wing on 31 July, the 143d AW earned seven IG Coins for individual excellence, 10 individual recognitions and eight team recognitions for their efforts. "You folks put a lot of training and a lot of effort into this and you proved that you are ready to go fight for our nation at any point, anytime, anywhere. " said Col. Mike "OB" Oberbroeckling, AMC IG Team Chief, "The members of the 143d Airlift Wing are clearly ready and capable of performing their global air mobility mission."

Following the official out brief, the Wing was finally able to let out a collective sigh of relief. Col. Arthur Floru, 143d Airlift Wing Commander, along with Major General Kevin McBride, Adjutant General of the Rhode Island National Guard addressed the team as a whole. While expressing his gratitude to the team for their gallant efforts, Col. Floru explained the secret to our success to MG McBride, "It's just what we do! It's back to the "Rhody" magic that you just can't mathematically solve - Why we do it all and why do we always say yes. We've talked about changing our wing mission statement to one word - 'Yes' or 'Win' - and that's just what we do." Col Floru, with the help of MG McBride, went on to recognize several additional individuals for their hard work and dedication to the team. "I am absolutely not surprised at the results. Let me also qualify that by saying I am proud to serve with you. It is my honor to be in this room today with each and every one of you," said MG McBride during the recognition ceremony, "This is a testament to the leadership, the dedication and the service of all of you and your families."

Congratulations to the 143d Airlift Wing for a job well done.
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