463rd Airlift Group shows AMC excellence

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Beth Orlen
  • 314th Airlift Wing Strategic Information Flight
Despite deployed members, a busy schedule and other commitments the members of the 463rd Airlift Group were able to show Air Mobility Command Inspector General representatives that their unit is excellent when it comes to doing its job.

AMC IG representatives came to Little Rock Air Force Base Nov. 15-20 to inspect the unit during not one, but two inspections - a unit compliance inspection and Logistics Standardization Evaluation Program inspection.

Both inspections were conducted at the same time, but the men and women of the 463rd took it all in stride.

"This is the first year that they combined both the UCI and the LSAP," said Senior Master Sgt. Richard Beall, the 463rd Airlift Group Quality Assurance superintendent. "We like it a lot better because we are busy the rest of the year."

While the entire 463rd was inspected during the UCI, the members of the maintenance fields got an extra look from inspectors.

"They look at how well maintenance does their job," said the 25-year C-130 crew chief veteran. "Are we doing things according to (Air Force Instruction) 21-101 and AMC supplement 21-101?"

With an overall, "Excellent" rating, apparently the group is. But getting to this point took some effort and wasn't without its challenges.

"We busted our butts to get (where we are)," said Sergeant Beall. "I took over (Quality Assurance) a year ago and a lot of things weren't where they needed to be. First, we had to make sure everything was up to speed. Then a new AFI 21-101 came out ... in June."

It took some hard work, but the unit was able to get to where it needed to be with a little assistance from the folks at the 314th Airlift Wing, said Col. John Gomez, 463rd AG commander.

The 314th AW conducted staff assistance visits to the group in the summer to give a jump start on the inspection.

"It was helpful to have a fresh set of eyes look at everything," said the commander. After the SAVs, the group revved up to make sure the inspectors were shown the professionalism of this unit has, despite being one of the busiest units on the base.

"The men and women of the 463rd take pride in what they do," said Colonel Gomez, "and that came across to the inspectors."

Sergeant Beall agrees.

"Everybody showed a good attitude," he said. "(The inspectors) can see our guys are tired and you would think morale would be different. (But it's not and) we're really proud of that."

That's one thing that was definitely noticed by the inspectors.

"In spite of the workload and personnel deployments supporting the Global War on Terrorism, Team Little Rock's hard work and preparation for hosting the (inspection) team was evident everywhere," said Col. James Howe, the AMC LSEP team chief. "The facilities, equipment and vehicle support provided by the group and the host wing greatly contributed to the ability of the team to complete the inspection on schedule."

Getting a good grade is an accomplishment in itself, but what does it mean for the Air Force overall?

"Doing well in the inspection shows we are ... ready to support the warfighter (and the GWOT), and our focus is on the right things," said Colonel Gomez.