Incirlik earns highest possible inspection rating

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Ray Bowden
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Incirlik's recent surety inspection wrapped-up with an official out-brief presided over by Col. Scott Gillespie, United States Air Forces in Europe inspector general, and Col. Phil McDaniel, 39th Air Base Wing commander, Monday morning at the consolidated club. 

The wing earned the highest possible rating during the inspection. 

The surety inspection, held Feb. 3 through Feb. 11, evaluated Incirlik's ability to manage priority-level resources in accordance with approved safety, security and reliability standards. 

"This was a great inspection! To have zero major write-ups is a major feat unto itself and a true measure of how well we perform day-in and day-out," said Colonel McDaniel. 

"Incirlik was the only USAFE wing to have zero major write-ups and zero major discrepancies, in my two-and-a-half years in this business" said Colonel Gillespie. 

Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Antwine, 39 ABW command chief, said Incirlik's success was due to the hard work of Airmen. 

"The Airmen in the trenches deserve the most praise. They performed superbly," he said.
Chief Antwine also praised the efforts of the wing's tenant units. 

"Our tenant units also deserve recognition. Without their professionalism, we couldn't have done as well as we did," he said. 

The out-brief began with a five minute slide-show highlighting various Incirlik personnel during the inspection. After the slide-show, Capt. David Marce, USAFE IG team-memeber, read through the inspection findings. The consolidated club filled with cheers and the sound of the 39th Maintenance Squadron's airhorn as Captain Morse read his report. 

The 39th Civil Engineer Explosive Ordnance Disposal flight earned an "Outstanding" rating while the technical operations, storage and maintenance facilities, security and personnel reliability were rated "Excellent." 

Five Incirlik Airmen received USAF IG Awards of Excellence for professionalism and performance: Capt. James Alves, Capt. Drew Gehler and Master Sgt. Christopher Greek of the 39th Security Forces Squadron, Staff Sgt. Neil Newman, 39th Civil Engineer Squadron and the entire 39 SFS Installation Security Section. 

Other Incirlik Airmen received IG "Pats on the back": Technical Sergeants Morgan Ard, David Raines and Staff Sgt. Bill Sherwood of the 39th Maintenance Squadron, Tech. Sgt. Dondi White and Senior Airmen Yoandry Montalvan and Jonathan Wheeler of the 39 SFS. 

The 39 SFS's Alpha and Charlie flights and the 39 MXS weapons element were also recognized. 

"This was the best inspection I have ever been a part of," said Colonel McDaniel. "It was terrific to see your individual efforts merge into team work. I could not be prouder."