FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. —
The 92nd Air Refueling Wing and 141st ARW’s ability to rapidly generate airpower at a moment’s notice was put to the test when Air Mobility Command’s Inspector General team conducted a no-notice Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection July 16 – 18, 2024.
During the NORI, Airmen demonstrated how various capabilities at Fairchild AFB enable units to generate and provide, when directed, specially trained and equipped KC-135 Stratotanker aircrews to conduct critical air refueling of U.S. Strategic Command-assigned strategic bomber and command and control aircraft.
“In an increasingly complex security environment, the nation expects all components of the nuclear enterprise to comply with unwavering security, safety and reliability standards,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Garret Bilbo, 92nd Air Refueling Wing deputy commander. “The Airmen of Team Fairchild demonstrated their ability to execute our U.S. Air Force’s top priority mission this week.”
No-notice inspections validate the need for Airmen at Fairchild AFB to train rigorously to remain postured and ready with a credible force to assure, deter and defend in an increasingly complex security environment.
“These inspections offer an opportunity for us to assess the readiness of our nuclear wings,” said Col. Travis Edwards, Air Mobility Command Inspector General. “We as AMC play a key role in being ready to respond to support nuclear operations at a moment’s notice.”
To maintain superiority amid Great Power Competition, the Air Force and Space Force announced 24 sweeping changes, split amongst four separate categories – Develop People, Generate Readiness, Project Power, Develop Categories.
Within the category of Generate Readiness is the incorporation of no-notice or limited-notice operational readiness assessments and inspections to reflect pacing challenge requirements. A no-notice NORI grades a wing’s operational effectiveness and response time in support of U.S. Strategic Command.
“Fairchild plays a critical role in nuclear readiness and strategic deterrence,” said Edwards. “No-notice inspections allow us to assess a wing without going through the traditional section cycle and find opportunities to be more effective and efficient when we are called into action.”
One of the various units being tested is maintenance and their ability to provide a mission ready aircraft.
Master Sgt. Alejandro Vazquez, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance green AMU production superintendent, describes maintenance’s role in preparing the aircraft to fly from start to finish. He explains that they are responsible for getting a pre-flight team on the aircraft, fueling the jet to the required amount, and ensuring all the necessary equipment is onboard prior releasing it to the aircrew.
“This inspection is testing if we have the right people and tools to complete the job on any given day,” said Vazquez. “And we’re testing if we can do our job effectively and efficiently at the speed of safety. We need to have a sense of urgency, while doing everything by the book.”
No-notice inspections like this grant Team Fairchild the opportunity to demonstrate mission readiness for real world events.
“A no-notice inspection is important for our command so they can see how we would respond in a real-world situation,” explained Vazquez. “Yes, we are the biggest tanker fleet and yes, we can perform under pressure.”
For decades, the KC-135 has been the backbone of Air Mobility Command’s air refueling capabilities around the world because of its ability to extend global reach and project U.S. air power. No-Notice and limited-notice operational readiness assessments and inspections are a part of the plans unveiled by senior military and civilian leaders of Department of the Air Force for reoptimizing forces for Great Power Competition.
