Full-scale readiness inspection trimmed to one-day event

Published Feb. 7, 2013
By Lt. Col. Rob Kownacky
514th Air Mobility Wing combat capabilities office

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- We can all take a collective sigh of relief. The operational readiness inspection that was scheduled for April has been pushed back to July.

And the news gets even better. The inspection, which will evaluate our ability to survive and operate, will start and end on July 13.

That's it. No deployment lines. No living in tents. None of the hardships associated with a full-blown inspection.

And just when you thought the news couldn't get any better, it does. Instead of the usual 500 personnel deploying for a readiness inspection, the inspector general will inspect only about 150 of our Airmen.

As sweet as it sounds, we still need to be very good at what we do. In fact, because the inspection won't be as thorough, the inspectors will expect perfection.

This means that the Airmen selected for evaluation need to be our best and brightest. These 150 will represent the wing and we will be graded on their performance.

The inspection will look at three major areas: self aid and buddy care, weapons familiarization and chemical warfare skills.

We have several training events scheduled from now until July.

We are working closely with our active duty partners who are also being inspected.

Through our joint effort, I am confident we will perform to the inspector's standards or better. Those who aren't selected to participate can still help the wing by supporting those who were selected as they prepare for the grand finale.