5th CCG scores Excellent during ORI Published March 7, 2008 By 1st Lt. Sequoiya Lawson 78th ABW/PA Robins Air Force Base, GA -- The 5th Combat Communications Group is taking a long weekend after receiving an overall excellent rating during their recent operational readiness inspection. "This is the best 5th CCG inspection in 11 years," said Col. Carl Block the group's commander. "This cements us winning best large communications unit in Air Combat Command for 2006 and 2007, showing the Air Force the caliber of professionals we have." During the inspection, members from across the 5th CCG were separated into two simulated fielded squadrons to carry out a full spectrum of operations in a deployed environment. The rated areas were initial response, employment, mission support and ability to survive and operate. Colonel Block said the group has come a long way and should be extremely proud of their accomplishments. "In 2005, none of us shared information," Colonel Block said. "Going across the hallway between two squadron commander's offices was like going to a different planet. We have solved that issue, it's not five separate squadrons clawing to all be number one, it's one 5th MOB coming together to be absolutely amazing." During an out brief to the group March 4, Colonel Block said, "The ACC inspector general, one that has failed the last two wings they evaluated, came and said you are excellent. They threw everything plus the kitchen sink at you; then they lit it all on fire, and you came out on top." Colonel Block said the group had the IG reacting to them instead of the group reacting to the IG. "They were simulating a full on war and we had a response cell reacting so fast to provide fully documented answers the IG couldn't figure out how we were doing it," the colonel said. The colonel charged the group to keep up the good work. "Don't let programs go back down hill into nothing and make someone have to build it back up again," Colonel Block urged. "We are going to fix those minor things the IG found so you don't have to work your tail off the next time an inspection comes up." The commander insisted the group not reinvent the wheel, but continue to share information and use existing good programs as benchmarks. With everyone in the group working 18 to 20 hour days, suffering from sleep deprivation and in constant anticipation for the next scenario, Lt. Col. James Sahm said teamwork is what brought the group through the inspection. "The teamwork displayed at all phases was incredibly awesome, I think if you asked anyone in the group they'd tell you the same answer," said Colonel Sahm, 5th Combat Communications Support Squadron commander. "There was so much selfless sacrifice with taking care of children and families and coping with people outside not knowing what we were going through." Lt. Col. Sahm served as Expeditionary Communica-tions Squadron commander for one of the simulated deployed squadrons during the inspection. "We always keep in mind to train like we fight; that's how we stay a strong team," said Colonel Sahm, who added that close relationships fostered while being deployed together contributes to group unity. "We're going to take what we've learned from the areas we need to improve upon, get ready for the next deployment cycle and move on out," he said. 1st Lt. Mark Duncan, tactical communications engineer with the 51st Combat Communications Squadron, said it was the intensity of the challenge that had everyone in the group performing at their best. The lieutenant was part of a communications operations team where their duties included directing the installation of communications, voice, data and radio capabilities. "With any big challenge such as an ORI, everyone in the MOB comes together as a team, makes the best of it and goes out 100 percent," Lieutenant Duncan said. As a reward, the entire group was given today off, and if no one get's a DUI, then everyone will have Monday off as well.