116th Air Control Wing readies to improve logistics for disaster response exercise

Airmen from the 116th Air Control Wing, Georgia Air National Guard, combined forces with the South Carolina Army National Guard to observe the joint reception, staging, onward movement and integration (JRSOI) center processes in Choppee, S.C., March 7, 2015. In preparation for a 2016 exercise when the 116th ACW will serve as the logistical hub for a large, multi-state natural disaster exercise, four members of the wing traveled to South Carolina for this year’s JRSOI operation during Vigilant Guard. (U.S. Air National Guard photo/Released)

116th Air Control Wing readies to improve logistics for disaster response exercise

Published March 20, 2015
By Tech. Sgt. Julie Parker
116th Air Control Wing

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga., March 18, 2015 -- The Georgia Air National Guard's 116th Air Control Wing is preparing to serve as the logistical hub for a large, multi-state, joint-force natural disaster exercise in 2016.

The wing will serve as the central location for the Joint Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration, or JRSOI, of all inbound forces in order to account for equipment and personnel and meet the immediate needs of the survivors during a real-world disaster.

"Everybody responding to the simulated disaster will process through our wing and then be deployed to the field wherever they are needed," said Capt. Christopher Swann, officer in charge of the 116th Logistics Readiness Squadron deployment section. "Participants will have to process through the JRSOI to leave the state to maintain accountability."

In preparation for the 2016 exercise, four members of the wing traveled as observers to Choppee, South Carolina, for this year's JRSOI operation during Vigilant Guard.

"An exercise of this nature provides an opportunity for the Army and Air Guard to build partnerships, collaborate and learn from each other as well as the civilian agencies we support," said Swann.