Osan receives 'Excellent' on ORI

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Steven Goetsch
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The lights fell on a packed house at the Osan theatre Tuesday afternoon as the 51st Fighter Wing asked the Pacific Air Forces Inspector General to "Show us!" the results of the 2007 Operational Readiness Inspection, just as Team Osan showed off for the Inspector General the week earlier. The resulting chants and cheers from the crowd were brought on from the "Excellent" rating the inspectors gave as they left Osan impressed with the professionalism and war-fighting spirit displayed.

The Mustangs though, had to wait for their rating. The out-brief kicked off with an action-packed video of the Mustang Stampede doing what they do best: initial response, employment, mission support and the ability to survive and operate. Those are the same categories the wing was evaluated on. The video showed just a small snapshot of the awesome display of war-fighting skills the wing demonstrated in a variety of mission specific tasks.

After the video, the IG wasted no time getting to what everyone came for -- their results. After going through the individual categories, and the most important overall category, the crowd heard from someone else Team Osan impressed. Dr. Ronald M. Sega, Under Secretary of the Air Force offered his congratulations. 

"The neighborhood is a dangerous place," said Mr. Sega. "I thank you for what you are doing, and keep up the great work." He also passed on congratulations from Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff Gen. Michael T. Moseley.

The IG also recognized several outstanding teams and individuals who performed exceptionally well. These teams led Osan to some improved results over 2005. Led by the "Outstandings" received by command and control, NEO and information operations, the wing bettered its mark in several other categories like reception and beddown, logistics, casualty care and maintenance.

Brig. Gen. Joe Reynes, 51st Fighter Wing commander, took the stage and passed on to the 500-plus in attendance how proud he was. 

"I could not be prouder of you," said Brig. Gen. Reynes. "You started the week and ended the week with fire in your eyes. You have validated the chief of staff's concept of integrated defense." 

That drew a round of applause from the audience, but nothing compared to what he did for an encore. He rewarded the wing for its superb effort by announcing that Friday was a down day. The wing's appreciation was echoed with 1000 stomping feet and a resounding, "Mustang Stampede, feel the thunder!"