MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Airmen of the 23rd Wing are gearing up to test their ability to deploy aircraft, personnel and cargo as part of a Phase I Operational Readiness Exercise, which will kick off in early March.

More than 600 Airmen will participate in the week-long exercise. The scenario will require lead elements from Moody's Combat Search and Rescue community, the 23rd Fighter Group and their support elements to respond to an escalating need for wing assets in a foreign country.

"Periodic exercises are conducted here to ensure Airmen are able to react quickly and effectively to contingencies and emergency situations," said Senior Master Sgt. Dave Smith, 23rd Wing Plans Inspections superintendent. "Phase I exercises demonstrate the ability to rapidly deploy cargo, personnel and aircraft to any war-time location."

This exercise is being conducted in preparation for a formal Operation Readiness Inspection scheduled in the fall of 2009.

"The purpose of the upcoming exercise will allow us to train for a massive deployment, validate our mobility processes and verify that the 23rd Wing can meet our war-fighting mission by rapidly deploying," explained Maj. Dave McCoy, XPI chief.

The exercise will also allow the base to identify and fix problems and shortcomings, and to recognize best practices before the ORI.

"The ORI is a test Air Combat Command conducts to evaluate us," said Major McCoy. "An ORE is a practice test we give ourselves. But both are designed to prepare us for meeting our war-time missions."

"Of course the biggest affect on our abilities is best summed up 'practice makes perfect,'" he added.

"I hope people do not think of this as a report card," said Sergeant Smith. "That isn't what it is. It is more of a dress rehearsal. We advertise we have these awesome capabilities at Moody; so let's put them to the test and show we are operationally ready."

This is the first time Moody will attempt a deployment exercise of this size combining both CSAR and fighter assets, said Major McCoy. The base should expect a hard week, but one in which, it can gain valuable insight into how to increase its ability to rapidly deploy in support of Air Force operations.

"Given the magnitude of the exercise, there will no doubt be some problems and frustrations; that's to be expected," said Sergeant Smith. "Call it a test drive if you like, but we can't realize our full potential until we are put to the test."