DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- In January, the 94th Airlift Wing deployed personnel and aircraft to support Air Expeditionary Function mission in Southwest Asia. As the Airmen prepared to leave, a new Air Force Inspection System took hold.
The AFIS and the commander’s inspection program put the true inspections of the wing back in the hands of the wing commander, creating an Inspector General Inspections Division, said Senior Master Sgt. Jeffery Sickler, 94th Airlift Wing IG.
Col. James Devere, 94th Operations Group, commander wishes the deployment teams from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. well as they board the C-17 that will take them to the Central Command Area of Responsibility, Jan. 8, 2015. During deployment preparations, inspection teams observed various procedures, noting any process improvements. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Peek)
The new AFIS was created for a couple of reasons, Sickler explained. The focus is on the wing assessing itself because every wing is unique and an internal perspective is ideal. Under the legacy inspections, the Combined Unit Inspection and operational readiness inspections were about preparation.
“Now, the command inspection program is continuously looking at processes and developing exercises as needed,” continued Chief Master Sgt. Lee Green, 80th Aerial Port Squadron superintendent. “However, actual events are the best measure of the unit’s processes and effectiveness.”
Members of the 94th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. prepare and load cargo required by deployed personnel Jan. 6, 2015. Personnel appointed as inspector observe all aspects of the loading process ensuring all proper procedures are followed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Peek)
The deployment provided an excellent opportunity to inspect the squadrons’ overall abilities to perform a real-world process in an effort to improve, Green added.
“We took advantage of the AEF deployment tasking by inspecting all aspects from deployment, employment and redeployment,” said Sickler. “The team captured pre-deployment training, right quality, quantity and effectiveness.”
Inspector team members observe procedures during a personnel deployment processing line at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., Jan. 8, 2015. Personnel appointed as inspector observe all aspects of the loading process ensuring all proper procedures are followed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Peek)
“We also have over a dozen wing inspection team members deployed who will continue to look at the process of proper training for this deployment and ensuring we have what we need to meet the combatant commander’s requirements,” added Green. “Upon redeployment, we will interview the members that were deployed and their family members to ensure we provided the right support to them and learn what areas we can improve on.”
This approach enables the wing to be more efficient and effective in the mission, Green said.
The team also looked for potential areas of undetected non-compliance, which would allow commanders to correct and fully assess any risks.
Members of the 94th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. prepare and load cargo required by deployed personnel Jan. 6, 2015. Personnel appointed as inspector observe all aspects of the loading process ensuring all proper procedures are followed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Don Peek)
“This is a new way of doing business across our enterprise and requires a mindset change,” Green exclaimed. “I highly encourage all Team Dobbins members to thoroughly learn their craft through their particular guidance. It's imperative to our overall success.”
As the team filters through their notes, they will provide the wing commander a report of strengths, deficiencies and recommended improvement areas, Sickler said. Then commanders, program managers and process owners will answer the deficiencies and take into consideration the areas noted for improvements.
“This is about us looking at ourselves and wanting to get better,” Sickler concluded. “It will take some time to completely change the mindset from the way we use to do business. In the past, we would see an inspection team arrive, inspect and leave. Our inspection team lives, walks and works alongside the members of the wing. The 94 AW has a lot of talent in its ranks, I can’t think of another wing that will be more successful at its mission.”