Making the grade: 314th AW rated 'Excellent'

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rochelle Sollars
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  The 314th Airlift Wing earned an excellent rating from the Air Education and Training Command Inspector General during the unit compliance inspection Jan. 25 - 31.

The inspectors graded the wing in 61 major inspection areas, each with many subcategories of standards.

"This inspection is a reflection of the unapologetically high standards maintained by the wing and the positive, mutually supportive partnership that we have with the Black Knights," said Col. Mark Czelusta, 314th AW commander. "The things that the [inspector general team] highlighted as strengths are exactly what matters the most ... our maintenance group's near perfection and recognition as best seen in several years; our ops group's flying training program; and the storied partnership between the 314th and the 19th."

"Our personal standards, professionalism and attitudes were described by the team as exemplary," the commander proudly proclaimed.

The wing's personnel showed the dedication and teamwork they use every day as they wowed the inspector general team.

"We capitalized on each other's talents and melded our past experience and training into our wing commander's five leadership themes: mission, standards, partnerships, innovation and focus, and then showcased our product," said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Marson, 314th AW command chief. "I've never achieved anything noteworthy as an individual. Collectively, we made it happen."

During the 314th AW unit compliance inspection, Airmen were recognized for their hard work and dedication in accomplishing the mission by both their unit supervisors and the inspector general team.

"I feel a great sense of pride," said Chief Marson. "Our Airmen work hard and deserve to be recognized among the Air Force's best."

Five of the professional performers were nominated and competitively selected by individual inspectors throughout the UCI. The Airmen's superior performance impressed the IG team, and they were nominated as the best of the best. These Airmen received inspector general professional performer coins from the team lead, Col. Kenneth Frollini. The Airmen were: Staff Sgt. Joshua Wood, 314th Operations Group; Maj. Mason Stewart, 48th Airlift Squadron; 2nd Lt. Charles McConnell, 314th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; Master Sgt. Don Wheeler, 314th AMXS; and Senior Airman Brian Sweeney, 314th Maintenance Operations Squadron.

The other Airmen named profession performers are:

314th Airlift Wing
Maj. Jeff DeNeui
Maj. Keith Jasmin
Maj. Sharon Rohde
Tech. Sgt. Scott Ransier

45th Airlift Squadron
Master Sgt. Dwight Elmore

714th Training Squadron
Maj. Christopher Hand
Master Sgt. Robert Summerville
Staff Sgt. Che'Leta Brown
Kevin Taylor

48th AS
Maj. Matt Puckett
Capt. Philip Postell
Tech. Sgt. Ken Olson

62nd Airlift Squadron
Lt. Col. Bradley Bistodeau
Maj. Jonah Rouse
Maj. Wesley Sweitzer
Capt. Seth Bliss
Master Sgt. Gerald McCloud
Master Sgt. Raymond Mitchell
Tech. Sgt. Derrick Walker
Danielle Hagemann

314th Maintenance Group
Tech. Sgt. Brandon Baker
Tech. Sgt. Monica Hood

314th AMXS
Capt. Jason Lugo
Senior Master Sgt. Monika Schorer
Senior Master Sgt. Daniel Taylor
Master Sgt. Jeremy Boyd
Master Sgt. Paul Hearn
Master Sgt. Joel Sparta
Tech. Sgt. Justin Hall
Staff Sgt. Rueben Chavez
Tech. Sgt. Daniel Conrad
Staff Sgt. Cory Gussman
Staff Sgt. Shawn Larson
Staff Sgt. Joseph Tano
Staff Sgt. Russel Whitmarsh
Senior Airman Christopher Malatesta
Senior Airman Kendall Robinson
Senior Airman Kyle Sommerfeldt
Senior Airman Ryan Stark
Senior Airman Erik Wells
Airman 1st Class Adam O'Brain
Airman 1st Class Cycle Vance

314th MOS
Staff Sgt. Adam Cockrell