The results are in: Team Dobbins passes ORI/UCI Published Aug. 19, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. James Branch Public Affairs DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- After months of intense training and planning, members of the 94th Airlift Wing participated in an Operational Readiness Inspection and Unit Compliance Inspection July 29 through Aug. 1. When the results of the inspections were announced Aug. 3 to a crowd in the 22nd Air Force conference room, the wing was rated as satisfactory. "The purpose of the ORI/UCI is to provide Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner, Air Force Reserve Command commander, with an independent, objective and fair evaluation of the 94th AW's compliance with congressional, Department of Defense, Air Force and AFRC policies and directives," said Maj. John Eggers, a member of the Inspector General (IG) Team. "Col. Heath Nuckolls, 94th AW commander, provided extraordinary support to the inspection team, and felt confident that his Airmen were ready for this inspection. The wing was exceptionally open with all of our inspectors, which contributed to the smooth flow and professional exchange of information," said Major Eggers. The week-long inspection began with UCI inspectors interviewing base agencies on the way their unit conducts business. "During the UCI, units were graded on three standards; comply, meaning no discrepancies, comply with comments, meaning some improvement required and non comply, meaning an identified core problem with significant mission impact," said Lt. Col. John Vallrugo, the 94th AW's wing process manager who served as the IG Team's point of contact. Later in the week, nearly 100 Airmen participated in a mock deployment exercise at a camp site near the end of the runway. ORI inspectors graded the wing on the ability to mobilize and deploy Airmen. "The ORI required base personnel to react to several scenarios designed to demonstrate mission readiness and deployment capabilities," said Capt. Donna Smith, wing exercise officer. This included testing Airmen on whether they knew the proper wear of their assigned chemical gear or self aid and buddy care techniques. The wing went through five major inspections during a one-week period - virtually unheard of according to Colonel Nuckolls. For many Airmen, this was their first time participating in a major inspection. "I took every meeting and training session one step at a time," said Tech. Sgt. Deborah McLean, exercise evaluation team member for the 94th Mission Support Squadron. "I'm very satisfied with all the effort everyone contributed in ORI prep training. We put Team Dobbins on the map! It felt like a breeze once we were out there getting evaluated," said Sergeant McLean. Maj. Gen. Martin Mazick, 22nd AF commander, expressed his congratulations to the wing. "My philosophy on inspections [is that] they provide direct feedback on areas in which you can improve," General Mazick said, "We need feedback to influence the system. Incorporate that feedback into what you do in the future." Although there are few areas that require improvement, they are what Colonel Nuckolls noted as sustainable fixes. "Lots of great people have contributed their efforts to make this a successful inspection," he said, "We didn't get here overnight. Our EET was started from scratch and we accomplished in one week what many bases have the opportunity of accomplishing over a longer period of time. We've set the standard."
