Crawling, walking, running to 2013

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Alyssa A. Blom
  • 934 AW Public Affairs
Minneapolis St. Paul ARS --  11/5/11 - Minneapolis Air Reserve Station -- "Gas! Gas! Gas!" yelled the instructor, as the Airmen frantically pulled on chemical gear and tried to don masks in the allotted time.
More than 100 Airmen participated in a Readiness Assistance Visit exercise Nov. 3-4 here to hone basic combat skills in preparation for the upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection in 2013.

RAVs are designed by 22nd Air Force to gradually introduce new skills to Airmen while exercising already-learned skills. This is called the 'craw, walk, run' concept, which gradually trains Airmen.

"This RAV was the 'crawl'," said Lt. Col. C.J. Bentley, the ORI planner for the 934th and Exercise Evaluation Team Chief. "The RAV II is the 'walk' and the Operational Readiness Exercise is the 'run' before we go full force with the ORI."

For the RAV II, the 934th AW is partnered with McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., and takes place in Gulfport AFB, Miss., in April. The Airmen will conduct 24-hour operations, and build on the skills learned from the RAV I.

"Everyone is involved in some way," said Colonel Bentley "Whether as a key player, an alternate, support staff at home, reach-back capability, or volunteers in preparation, the whole base is helping the Airmen become proficient in their tasks."

The RAV I was conducted with the help of 22nd AF along with 45 volunteers from the base. These cadre and volunteers trained the players in the morning Nov. 3 with five different combat scenarios that exercised newly-refreshed skills. Then Nov. 4, their skills were put to use in a series of several simulated attacks.

"I learned more about chemical warfare and [self aid buddy care]," said Senior Airman Justin M. Koch, an aircraft hydraulics mechanic for the 934th Maintenance Squadron. "It was excellent instruction to properly harden the building, building bunkers, and how to don ... gear."

Airman Koch and his fellow maintenance shop airmen endured mortar attacks and treated mass casualties. These scenarios intend to hone the combat skills, ability to survive and operate, SABC, and command and control training.

"This was a good refresher on my combat skills," said Staff Sgt. Doug A. Lind, a personnel specialist on the Command Support Staff. "Since I work in an office, it was nice to re-learn some of the skills that may have eroded over time."

"The RAV concept of 'crawl-walk-run' is unique to this numbered Air Force," said Colonel Bentley. "This concept slowly develops Airmen and their skills instead of springing inspections on them with little notice. Being prepared is the key to effectively performing in an ORI."