19th Airlift Wing celebrates "excellent" UCI

Master Sgt. Kimberly Knott, 19th Contracting Squadron, hands Senior Airman John Wilkerson, 19th Security Forces Squadron, a bag of chips during the commander's all call held April 27 at the War fit Track. A burger burn was held in appreciation for the hard work put forth by 19th Airlift Wing members that led to an overall excellent rating for the unit compliance inspection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Christine Clark)

Excellent: Black Knights make the grade

Published April 27, 2010
By Arlo Taylor
19 Airlift Wing Public Affairs

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. -- The 19th Airlift Wing April 27 received an "excellent" grade in its Unit Compliance Inspection from the Air Mobility Command Inspector General Team.

The inspection, which spanned April 19 - 27, yielded six best practices and 32 team and 48 individual awards. More than 80 inspectors looked at programs and processes across the base to ensure day-to-day compliance with executive orders, Department of Defense directives, Air Force and major command instructions.

Inspector General Team Chief Col. Thomas Freese said the Black Knight attitude was evident throughout all units on base.

"You guys did phenomenal! You did well, extremely well, and I'm impressed," said Colonel Freese at the out brief at the base's theater.

Col. Greg Otey, 19th AW commander, said the hard work and preparation of every team member had a tremendous impact on the excellent rating.

"I could not be prouder. Thank you... those are the most powerful worlds we have, and I don't say it enough. Thank you for who you are, for what you do and for your families because they work with us too," he said.

The commander said the teamwork displayed by every organization during the UCI left a lasting impression on the inspection team and has raised the bar of excellence.

"You flat out blew them away. You did it with great attitude and teamwork... and that makes me prouder than anything," Colonel Otey said. "It's amazing what you can do when you work together and that's exactly what you did. Thank you for that and thank you for what you do everyday."

A unit compliance inspection is one of the single most significant inspections a base can receive. According to Air Mobility Command Instruction 90-201, The Inspection System, UCIs are conducted to assess areas mandated by law as well as mission areas identified by senior Air Force and major command leaders as critical or important to assess or assure the health and performance of organizations.