Incirlik Tenant Unit rated 'Excellent' following two inspections

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Amber Russell
  • 39th Air Base Wing, Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Air Mobility Command's 728th Air Mobility Squadron, one of Incirlik's premier tenant units, recently received two 'Excellent' ratings following the completion of two simultaneous command-level inspections conducted Aug. 23-27.

The Air Mobility Command inspector general, Brig. Gen. Donald Lustig, and his team conducted an En Route Readiness Inspection, while the AMC Logistics Directorate administered a Logistics Standardization Evaluation Program inspection.

"Any inspection is difficult, but having two inspections occur simultaneously presented unique challenges," said Lt. Col. Joseph Angel, 728 AMS commander. "The performance of the Airman of the 728th exceeded mission requirements."

According to Master Sgt. Hugh Nemechek, 728 AMS Expeditionary Readiness and Resources flight chief, the ERI evaluated the squadron's ability to perform its war-and-peacetime missions, manage aircraft and perform aerial port passenger and cargo handling functions, whereas the LSEP inspection assessed the units capacity to comply with Air Force and AMC policies.

"The LSEP focuses on technical compliance and safety with the ultimate goal of ensuring units perform in a standardized, repeatable and technically compliant matter," he said.

The inspections gauge readiness requirements; the ERI is held every three years and the LSEP is every 18 months.

The AMS team prepared for these inspections by using IG self-inspection checklists and coming up with "Theme Weeks."

"Each week, we had a theme to break down the inspection," said Sergeant Nemechek. "One week we conducted 'Ability to Survive and Operate' exercises and the next we worked on records and the training involved there."

Throughout both inspections one aspect of the ERI stood out to General Lustig.

"The inspector general was pleased with the seamless integration of the deployed members," said Sergeant Nemechek. There are 47 aerial port and 38 maintenance Airmen deployed to the 728 AMS and work side-by-side with Incirlik Airmen.

23 Airmen were chosen as outstanding performers.

"They carried out their procedures and activities in a superior manner and demonstrated that they can very efficiently manage Air Force resources and programs," said Col. Angel. "The 'Excellent' rating the squadron received in both inspections is also a testimony to the support of our families as well as the exceptional relationship with Team Incirlik."