Expect multiple base-wide exercises leading up to UCI

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • Staff writer
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Base officials are spreading the word that everyone can expect to experience several exercises in the weeks leading up to the Unit Compliance Inspection, which runs from Jan. 8-16. 

Due to the fact this year's UCI includes a weapons of mass destruction exercise -- where response will be graded by the Inspector General team -- base leaders are continuing to prepare units for what they expect to see come January, said Maj. Stephen Polomsky, 62nd Airlift Wing chief of plans and programs. 

"We will have several exercises of different scope, with some being no-notice," Major Polomsky said. 

Also new this year, the IG team will grade McChord based on the guidance
and procedures consistent with the Air Force Incident Management System, which the Air Force adopted in January 2007. The Air Force directed initial operating capability with AFMIS be achieved by December 2007. 

McChord will be the first base in Air Mobility Command to be graded on its response using AFIMS, Major Polomsky said. 

"We've had the shortest implementation time of anyone because of Rodeo," he said. 

The hope is the practice exercises will help units prepare and develop response capabilities for when it comes time for the UCI exercise, Major Polomsky said. 

"When it does come, the level of response and the overall exercise will be more realistic than many previous exercises," he said. "The exercise won't be just a single event; we can expect multiple attacks in the same day. It will be stressful."