130th EIS prepares for UCI in May

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Emily Hoferitza
  • 151 ARW/PA
The 130th Engineering and Installations Squadron recently held an Operational Readiness Exercise in preparation for their upcoming Unit Compliance Inspection in May 2011.

The anticipated 11-day inspection will check unit compliance to regulations, then inspect the unit's preparation and performance of assigned duties within an operations base, said Lt. Col. Karen Morris, commander of the 130 EIS.

"We're inspected on project completion and how we do our job," said Colonel Morris.

In preparation for the ORE, Maj. Gene C. Buckner, 130th detachment commander, said that in four months' time projects and scenarios were planned, the unit was trained on their tasks, and the play area was organized and outlined.

The unit completed projects that included premise wiring around the play area, building an antenna and a cable project that will be expanded in future exercises, said Major Buckner.

During the four-day ORE, the unit was exposed to diverse weather conditions ranging from hot, sunny days to pouring rain and working in the mud.

Master Sgt. Randy Young, 130th non-commissioned officer in charge over cable projects, said that working outside in some of the worst weather conditions was hard, but rewarding.

"You can't wear gloves doing what they're doing," he said. "It's been a good opportunity to practice in bad weather."

The exercise was the first of three practice exercises the unit will participate in before their inspection. "We have identified areas that need work," said Colonel Morris.

Major Buckner said that his favorite part was watching the different teams perform their individual tasks.

"It's been great watching teams perform under pressure," he said. "We've got some really hard workers in the 130th that get the job done."

Though the exercise was a good first run, the unit still has a lot to work on.

"The unit is partially prepared," said Colonel Morris. "We're not ready to go right now, but we'll get there."

The unit will participate in two more exercises before the inspection in May.