Misawa preps for first IRRE of 2008

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Wilson
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  The 35th Fighter Wing will have an Initial Readiness Response Exercises Feb. 12 -14.

"IRREs are an important way for Misawa Air Base to stay prepared for real-world contingencies in the area of responsibility," said Senior Master Sgt. Edrick Garces, the superintendent for 35th FW Exercises, Plans and Inspections.

IRREs are usually held quarterly and are sometimes combined with Combat Employment Readiness Exercises to form an Operational Readiness Exercise.

"In an IRRE, we test our preparation of fighter jets and personnel," Sergeant Garces said. "CEREs differ because they test our combat readiness as if already deployed and ready to fight."

Real-world deployment events could take weeks but time is shortened when practicing at the wing.

"We practice in a three-day period for exercise purposes," he said.

Making sure chemical and personal bags are in order are not the only essential items in maintaining readiness, according to Sergeant Garces.

"You will want to be legally ready to deploy by having your will in order, setting up any power of attorneys, making sure your SGLI is up to date, and other legal issues," he said.

It is also important to be medically cleared for deployments, not only for exercises but for unforeseen real world deployments.

All of Misawa Air Base must work together as a team to get personnel and equipment deployed with their Unit Type Code on time.

This will be the first IRRE where most of the base is here to participate. Half of the base was deployed during the last exercise but most personnel have returned, allowing for better manning.

"This IRRE should be a lot better for Misawa," said Sergeant Garces. "This time we also have plenty of notice so everyone should be well prepared."