Center scores high in UCI

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  It was standing room only at the Enlisted Hall for the Unit Compliance Inspection out brief today.

Commanders and their personnel from the Air Armament Center, the Air Force Research Laboratory, 46th Test Wing and 96th Air Base Wing waited patiently while Maj. Rebecca Cobb, team chief for Air Force Materiel Command's compliance inspection, reported whether 47 major graded areas complied with governing directives and supported mission accomplishment. The audience collectively breathed a sigh of relief as the major announced 45 areas were in compliance with two in compliance with comments.

The UCI assessed programs, process and documentation; evaluated compliance with Air Force and command special interest items and evaluated the Unit Self Inspection program. It also recognizes outstanding performers and teams.

Col. Ted Sakulich, the AFMC Inspector General, said the IG recognized April was an extremely busy month for the base and commended its ability to successfully host and participate in the inspection. He acknowledged the exceptional support for the 105-man team of inspectors.

"The openness and willingness of everyone to take the feedback we presented with an open mind was very impressive and is a testament to Team Eglin's leadership involvement," Colonel Sakulich said. "Of the major graded areas looked at in this compliance inspection a full 45 were in compliance, not an easy thing to achieve."

Lt. Col. Christopher Holmes, 96th  Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, worked closely with Col. Charles Greenwald, Air Armament Center Director of Staff and with the IG team as their liaison for the inspections. The compliance inspection gained the most attention, but four other inspections were underway during the week-long visit, including inspections of the Environmental, Occupational and Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program, the Logistics Compliance Assurance Program and the Safety Program Management.

Maj. Gen. C. R. Davis, Program Executive Officer for weapons and Air Armament Center commander, said being an inspector is a thankless job but one needed to keep things in perspective. He also pointed out the demands the base has faced since January from senior Air Force visits to the air show.

"It was a tough inspection because of the many areas they look at," he said. "I think it's incredibly impressive what you have done to prepare for the UCI. To have the highest grade possible in all areas but two is a tremendous accomplishment."

Although the UCI relied heavily on checklists to validate compliance, the general pointed out that was not what the inspection was about.

"This was about making sure the folks we have here are trained to do the mission and we don't kill or hurt anyone with what we do," he said. "The processes you put in place for training, safety, taking care of our resources and our mission are critically important. That's what this was all about and that's what we do every day. We have an incredibly rapidly growing mission and we're in a great position not to let anything happen to anyone and keep a safe organization."