347th MXG prepares for inspection

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Sonny Cohrs
  • 347th Rescue Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Preparation is key for the 347th Maintenance Group, which has begun planning for an inspection from Feb. 26 to March 2, 2007. 

The Logistics Standardization and Evaluation Team visit is devised to take an in-depth look at programs and processes involving aircraft maintenance, transportation, supply and other logistics areas. 

“Maintenance is a discipline of details while doing the right thing the first time even when no one is looking,” said Col. Bryan Glynn, 347th MXG commander. “Every day, we have pilots and aircrew who place their lives in the hands of our technicians from varying degrees of skills and from different parts of the country with varying lifestyles and moral backgrounds.” 

Part of the group’s preparation included a recent visit to Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., to observe an LSET inspection first hand. 

“We sent three people there to see their inspection guidelines,” said Capt. Seanna Less, 347th MXG officer in charge of quality assurance. “Additionally, we’re having monthly LSET meetings and looking through old findings to make sure we are in compliance and prepared for the LSET visit.” 

Staff Sgt. Gabriel Bell, QA inspector, one of the observers sent to Seymour Johnson, said he gained valuable insight into the inspection process. 

“I learned there’s room for improvement, but we’re pretty well ahead of the power curve,” he said. 

Because the 347th units recently switched from Air Force Special Operations Command to Air Combat Command, the MXG has been focused on compliance with ACC regulations. 

“Since we had this change to ACC and we’re getting into the ACC books now, it’s in our focal forefront,” said Senior Master Sgt. Oland Purser, QA superintendent. “There are some command differences and interpretations of the standard both commands do,” he added, explaining AFSOC supplements that were only 20 pages equate to more than 100 pages of ACC guidance. 

Once the inspection kicks off, the team, consisting of 27 inspectors, will perform an in-depth look at the way the group does business. Inspectors will work as many as 15 or 16 hours each day during the inspection period, ensuring coverage of days, mids and swing shifts. 

“They will evaluate us as inspectors, (watching us) evaluate our people,” said Tech. Sgt. David Washabaugh, QA’s chief inspector. 

The quality assurance section is responsible for inspecting each of its assigned work centers and ensuring compliance with the Air Force Instructions and command supplements governing how a unit completes its mission. 

“I think overall as a group we’re doing well,” Sergeant Washabaugh said. “We have a monthly inspection report and ask, ‘where can the MXG improve?’”
Colonel Glynn agrees with the importance of both the LSET and the monthly QA inspections. 

“We don’t apologize for looking over their shoulder and checking their work,” the colonel said. “We have come a long way in the past year in making training and home-station flying a priority. The LSET team will validate our sweat equity we have expended over the last year in doing the right thing for our country and for our mission.” 

Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Osha has been a QA inspector for the last three years. He said he sees the LSET team as a checks and balances system for the unit and the QA flight at the same time. 

“They’ll do the same types of things we do every day,” he said. “It’s like a report card for us to let us know how we’re doing. I think (the LSET inspection) is going to validate we’re the best ones out there, and I think we’re going to do really well.”