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McGuire passes the muster on three command inspections

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Donna T. Jeffries
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  The long days and nights of preparation paid off for members of the 514th Air Mobility Wing as the unit passed three major command inspections that began Feb. 22 and ended March 22.

"It's a good day to be in the Freedom Wing," said Col. Michael Underkofler, 514th AMW vice commander.

Over the past few weeks, inspectors from Air Force Reserve Command at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., and Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill., conducted an aircrew standard evaluation program, a unit compliance inspection and a logistics compliance assessment of the Reserve and active duty units here.

The Reserve wing here did well according to Brig. Gen. Derek Rydholm, inspector general at AFRC.

"There were only a few discrepancies, which the unit was already working on when we arrived," he said.

The inspection teams evaluated each unit's ability to perform to set standards. The UCI team graded how well command-directed programs were being run at the unit level; the ASEV team examined every aspect of aircrew standardization, evaluations, training, tactics and aviation resource management processes; and the LCAP team scrutinized how well maintenance, aerial port and logistics readiness squadron perform key logistics processes in a safe, standardized, repeatable and technically compliant manner.

"Inspections are nice in that they provide the opportunity for us to really clean house," Colonel Underkofler said. "While preparing for the team, we look harder at our processes, make them better and then show the inspectors how well we do our jobs."

Some group commanders gave insight on their area of expertise.

"The ASEV is one of the most important inspections a flying squadron undergoes," said Col. James DiFrancesco, 514th Operations Group commander. "Everyday, our Reservists support warfighting and humanitarian efforts around the world; this inspection validated that 514th crewmembers excel in meeting those challenges."

Those sentiments were echoed by another commander.

"The AMC LCAP validated what we know; we have an outstanding Reserve Associate program here at McGuire, with extremely talented maintenance professionals who have dedicated their lives to national security," said Col. Oreste Varela,, 514th Maintenance Group commander.

The teams singled out the best of the best by naming 21 Reservists as superior performers and five units as superior teams. Additionally, two Airmen received the military bearing award.

With the inspection over, Colonel Underkofler urged members to rebalance the three areas of their lives that Reservists continuously juggle - military, family and civilian employment.

"Take some time off," he said. "You've spent a lot of time away from your families. Go home and thank them and thank your employers as well."