POST UCI Break to Recharge

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Antwine
  • 39th Air Base Wing command chief
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  I know it is hard to believe the Unit Compliance Inspection is nearly over. I can almost hear a collective sigh of relief from everyone as we eagerly close out the final inning of the inspection and wait for our outbrief. This is where the inspection team will let us know just how compliant we are with Department of Defense, Air Force, Major Command and local directives. 

Of course we are very proud and want to receive the "Outstanding" ratings, the spectacular team and individual recognitions, as well as recognition for those programs and processes identified as "Best Practices" and "Benchmarks." I am confident we will see some of these these, just as I am sure we will have some areas that may require improvement. 

The grade is important, but what is equally important is what we accomplished -- we worked hard together as a team as we prepared for this UCI; we identified and corrected hundreds of discrepancies over the past eight months; the goal here is to maintain the compliance level at all times as we move on. 

The continual drill of preparing for functional and mission inspections makes us a better organization and forces us to overcome adversities such as continuity due to high personnel turnovers and unique mission requirements. We have done well in this area while at the same time excelled as a wing by winning numerous DoD, Air Force, and U.S. Air Force's in Europe-level unit, team and individual awards. 

I congratulate and thank you all for all the effort and energy you committed to preparing us for the UCI. Where we can, we will throttle back for a couple of weeks to allow everyone time to refuel and refocus for our future inspections; we have the Health Services Inspection in June, a Surety Staff Assistance Visit in October followed by the Surety Inspection in February 08. 

Think about it, three major inspections over the next nine months. Let's continue to do what we do; remain focused, continue to prepare, pace ourselves and continue to win awards as we successfully accomplish our daily missions while ensuring freedom's future.