Commissioner Richard Raines noticed Col. Mark A. Ruse of Moody Air Force Base in the audience and mentioned the operational readiness inspection (ORI) then in progress at Moody. In case anybody doesn’t know this, Moody AFB is by far the largest employer in Lowndes County.

The Col. said a few words, but it’s hard to tell what they were, since there’s no mic on the audience.

A student group also said a few words, but it’s hard to tell what they were, for the same reason.

Maybe Commissioners could ask people to come to the podium to speak, or deploy a mic that works for the audience.

According to his biography at Moody:

Col. Mark A. Ruse is commander of the 23rd Mission Support Group at Moody Air Force Base, Ga. He leads a group of more than 1,450 military and civilian members providing support and services to a population of 28,000 active duty, retired military and family members. His group maintains an installation with more than 830 buildings and more than 17,500 acres, including an adjacent bombing or strafing range. He is responsible for ensuring the readiness of support forces to mobilize and deploy to build, secure, and sustain air base operations at austere bare base locations anywhere in the world.

The 23rd Mission Support Group also retains responsibility for civil engineering, environmental compliance, disaster preparedness response, fire protection, security forces, airfield navigational systems, communications-computer systems, contracting, transportation, supply, food service, housing, recreation, family and community support programs, personnel, manpower, education and training.

He has a degree in civil engineering.

Also according to Moody (which apparently believes in transparency), 3 April 2012, MOODY SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES INSPECTION

Moody Air Force Base completed its phase II operational readiness inspection (ORI) on April 1 at 12:10 a.m., meeting the demanding standards of Air Combat Command and earning a grade of satisfactory, which indicates performance or operations meet mission requirements.

The Air Combat Command Inspector General Team was here March 28 through April 3 to evaluate the 23d Wing’s operational readiness or ability to conduct combat operations in wartime.

One hundred thirty inspectors thoroughly and impartially assessed the readiness, discipline and efficiency in which the wing can respond, employ forces, provide mission support, and survive and operate in a combat environment. This in depth, rigorous, and invasive inspection ensures the wing is ready to provide support anywhere and at anytime in a safe, secure and effective manner.

Here’s the video:

Col. Mark A. Ruse and Moody AFB ORI
Regular Session, Lowndes County Commission (LCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 27 March 2012.
Video by Gretchen Quarterman for Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange (LAKE).

-jsq

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