A trip to the Apple Orchard

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Members of the 49th Force Support Squadron ran their first group of Airmen through the Apple Orchard June 15 as the Phase II operational readiness exercise kicked off. 

The Apple Orchard, which is designed to simulate a reception control center, was set up in the Fitness and Sports Center here. 

"The purpose of the Apple Orchard is to process everybody participating in the Phase II exercise," said Staff Sgt. Sol Diaz, non-commissioned officer in charge of the Apple Orchard. 

Upon entering the Apple Orchard, the Airman went through three stations. 

"First, the Airmen will check in with us for accountability, then they will be directed to the MRE sales table, and lastly, they will be going to the MOPP up area where they will get information on all the chemical zones," said Sgt. Diaz. 

MOPP levels, which stand for mission-oriented protective posture, are divided into four categories, made up of different combinations of chemical suits, boots, gloves and gas masks. Airmen are shown a slideshow that tells them at what level their destination currently stands and they can properly prepare to enter the scenario.

In a real world deployment, members will have to go through a process just like this, said Sgt. Diaz. 

"The Apple Orchard benefits the Airmen working in it because it gives them experience that will be useful in a deployed environment," she said. "They will learn how to inprocess members and the members who are in processing will get the information they need before they get to the play area." 

The 49 FSS is not only responsible for processing Airmen, they will also be in the play area providing services for players and serving hot meals. 

"FSS is essential to the mission because we are responsible for accounting for everyone in the exercise," Sgt. Diaz said. "They also provide the services that Airmen will need while deployed - the most important one being food."