Kunsan '09 ORI, Day 3, 4, 5, ENDEX!

Day three started as any other. We came on at shift change, received situation reports from the night shift and went back to our staging areas. Within an hour of coming on shift, we were hit with a barrage of missile attacks. After our successful ADR the previous day, we expected an opportunity to conduct a nighttime ADR later in the shift. However, after the early attacks, the word came down that there was damage on the airfield once again...
We had been in this position numerous times over the past months, and it showed in the sense of urgency displayed by our teams. Minutes after receiving the location of the damage, we were convoying to our staging area. When the ADR teams arrived on site, we found EOD was in the process of safeing an unexploded bomb that lay next to our craters. Timing was perfect, and their team disarmed the bomb just in time for us to start work. During this iteration of ADR, we were tasked with two craters, a field of spalls, as well as setting up the airfield marking and PAPI lights. The teams went to work immediately and I could barely keep up with them on my checklists. Once again, the last ten months of training was paying dividends right before my eyes, and most importantly, in front of the IG inspectors. In quick fashion, the craters were filled, the spalls repaired, one FFM was placed over one crater, and the airfield marking kit was laid out. It was the quickest that I had ever seen my team work, and it could not have been at a better time. I have no doubt that PACAF’s IG team was thoroughly impressed with our performance. I was taken aback by how quickly and safely all teams worked. Even four months ago, I could not have imagined the speed at which we performed at. After reconstitution, the teams came back to the CE compound to settle in and wait for the next call that might come. However, we had a very quiet night, except for the waves and waves of fighters taking the fight north.
Day four started as day three did. We were hit with a missile attack almost immediately after coming on shift. After the attack had cleared, everything became very quiet. More and more jets were launching. However, no attacks materialized as the day continued. Thankfully, our CE leadership managed to get some of our craftsmen out on real world work calls, to help pass the time. Before we knew it, we were given the order for MOPP 0, indicating that the end was near.
I woke this morning, day five, to find that we had been given the order to reconstitute the base. While the exercise had ended for us, it was still on full swing for the flight crews. It has sounded like we are launching more aircraft today than any day during the exercise, and I am sure the planes will continue flying until ENDEX. Our CE commander, “Devil,” called the squadron in for a Post-ORI commander’s call. Although there were a lot of weary faces in the crowd, we were all anxious to hear his view of our performance. He also saw our teams perform at their peak, but we still await the IG’s final evaluations. I have no doubt in my mind that the Red Devils once again proved what we are made of; Pride Professionalism, Performance. CE RED DEVILS!!!!!