Moody kicks off new inspection system with WRI exercise

  • Published
  • By Airman Dillian Bamman
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Airmen got firsthand experience with the new Air Force Inspection System during the first Wing Readiness Inspection phase 1 exercise at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., Jan. 13 to 17, 2014.

In June of 2013, the under secretary of the Air Force signed a directive to implement the Air Force Inspection System, which includes the new Wing Commander Inspection Programs and Airman to Inspector General sessions.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bryan France, 23d Wing director of inspections, said he thinks this new inspection system is the future for the Air Force's inspection process.

"One of the biggest parts about the new inspection system is that we're trying to align inspection readiness with mission readiness," said France. "We plan to start inspecting actual deployments out of the wing."

One example of mission readiness is how 23d Logistics Readiness Squadron worked for the full four days of the exercise preparing cargo for the phase 1 exercise.

"We need these exercises to ensure the safe travel for our Airmen and our cargo overseas," said Dave Talley, 23d LRS chief of distribution.

Tally was satisfied by all the encouragement and support from the ones participating in the exercise.

"Overall the workers were showing positive attitudes and a great sense of urgency," said Talley.

The WRI may be the present implementation to the new inspection system, but the Unit Effectiveness Inspection capstone that is scheduled for March 31 is the main focus of preparation for the 23d WG. One way the wing is preparing for the capstone is through the UEI survey, which France encourages every Airman to fill out.

"[Air Combat Command] will take answers from the survey and form our inspection criteria for our capstone," said France. "We're excited for these surveys, and we need max participation to effectively implement the UEI capstone."

There is still a long road ahead for this transition process said France, but he has high hopes for the 23d WG.

"Along the way, we're going to notice some individuals that haven't yet adapted to this new culture and help the transition," said France. "We're moving at a quick pace to get where we're trying to go."

To assist in that transition, this new inspection system is giving back some of the power to perform self-inspections that was taken away from Moody's commanders through the Operation Readiness Inspection, the original inspection process, says France.

"It's very important to understand that commanders now own the inherent ability to inspect their own squadrons, and it's also their responsibility to implement that inspection process," said France.

France stresses that the most important aspect of this new inspection system is that every Airman is a sensor.

"As an Airman, you can make the difference to better the Air Force by analyzing these [Air force Instructions]," said France. "Colonel Franks is very eager for his Airmen to look at their processes and identify where we're compliant and where we're not."

Through effective squadron inspections from commanders and letting the Airmen identify problems with AFIs, the 23d WG IGI team plans to continue improving on this new inspection process.

"The ultimate goal is for the 23d Wing to be able to inspect and evaluate the combat capability of our Airmen," said France. "I am confident we will reach that goal."