Reservists take "pretest" for upcoming inspection

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Monica Dalberg
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NJ --  The 514th Air Mobility Wing here hosted a full house this weekend as the 22nd Air Force staff assistance visit team arrived from Dobbins Air Force Base, Ga., to review the wing's records, practices and operations in preparation for next year's unit compliance inspection.

A UCI is conducted every four years, and the wing's next inspection is scheduled for March 2011. The inspection system evaluates areas mandated by law and mission areas identified by senior Air Force leaders as critical or important to assess or assure the health and performance of organizations, according to Air Mobility Command Instruction 90-201.

In order to emulate the conditions of a typical UCI, the SAV team uses the same checklists that are used in actual inspections.

"There is work to do and a little less than a year to do it," stated Col. Giordano McMullen, 514th AMW commander, of the wing's UCI preparation. "The team is here to give us their best assessment and assist in our processes, our programs and our functional areas to help us become a better wing."
According to Lt. Col. John Eliopolo of the wing's Performance Planning office, the Air Force has selected key areas for assessment in the UCI, which the SAV team is reviewing. The areas are being evaluated with the idea that if those areas are strong, it is most likely the wing's management programs will be in compliance across the wing and will enhance mission readiness.

"We're going through your program to see what is broken, what can be improved and to recognize what is being done great," said Tech. Sgt. Christian Michael, SAV team member. "We want you to see us as the guys here to help you get your program on track."

Sergeant Michael said performing multiple SAVs provides exposure to many innovative ideas which the team can to spread to other units throughout the 22nd Air Force.

"We're the cross-pollinators, the folks who have been in other places and can say, 'These guys are doing this good, so talk to them to see if their processes can work for your program,'" he said.

The wing's senior leaders are expecting to reap significant rewards from the team's visit.

"With their direct insight, assessment and feedback, I'm confident that we'll get much better in a relatively short amount of time," said Colonel McMullen.