News

Inspection team to arrive at Robins

  • Published
  • By Brian Shreve
  • Robins Public Affairs
A team of AFMC inspectors from around the country will be given free reign of Robins Monday, as a week of base-wide assessments kick off.

The Air Force Materiel Command Inspector General's Office analyzes the computerized systems of the 78th IGO, and will be here to conduct spot checks to validate and verify - Val/Ver - that the data it has observed during the past couple of years is accurate.

The assessment will include a unit effectiveness inspection for the 78th Air Base Wing, a unit compliance observation for the Air Logistics Complex in addition to audits for the Life Cycle Management Center and Supply Chain Management Group; however, inspectors may evaluate any area of the base they choose.

"Basically, they grade how we're inspecting ourselves and that processes are taking place the way we say they are," said Col. Jeffrey Glass, 78th inspector general.
 
"Our data provides them with what area they may want to look at. And, if we have a program that's doing better than other bases, they may even use it as a model for them."

The inspections run through Thursday, with Friday reserved for any necessary follow-ups, as well as inspectors providing final inputs in preparation of a draft report to be written during the following weekend.

Since October of 2013, a new program has been in effect in which the 78th IG and wing inspection team members conduct ongoing, in-house evaluations as opposed to having outside inspectors arrive for a major analysis every couple of years or so.

Aside from ensuring Robins' data are correct, the AFMC team will also report on areas not yet covered by the base IGI, which is only seven months into its two-year inspection cycle.

"It's a continuous process. And they go back and look at our performance over a period of time, not just one point in time," said Glass. "Because we haven't inspected every unit in the wing, they come in and look at those parts and validate our inspections. After a two-year process, we'll have inspected every unit in the wing."

Inspectors will examine records, processes for tracking wing deficiencies and observe maintenance personnel to ensure guidelines are being met, particularly in the area of safety, said Glass.

An ADVON team from Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, arrived at Robins last week to perform Airmen-to-IG sessions where Airmen are randomly picked from unit rosters and then interviewed on topics from base facilities and structure to off-base support, leadership and resource capabilities.

Other sessions across the base included members from LCMC, SCMG and ALC. Once the information is compiled, it is then turned over to the main inspection team comprised of about 160 members, which arrives Saturday.

Any discrepancies for a given area are graded as minor, significant or critical, and are presented to each inspected unit on a daily basis throughout the process for their opportunity to clarify or rebut.

"One of the main things during an inspection is professionalism," said Glass. "Just respecting the IG team is huge."

*Competence - Know your job inside and out, and perform those duties to the best of your ability despite the scenario or the inspector's glare.

*Responsiveness - Show that "sense of urgency" during every waking moment; lean forward in those starting blocks and then realistically propel yourself into every activity.

*Attitude - Display a positive attitude, recognize that enthusiasm is contagious, and problems that arise in the "fog of war" can be overcome.

*Readiness - Ensure your personal bags are packed, mobility requirements are current, the paperwork and processes in your work section are in perfect order, and that you have trained effectively so you can infallibly perform your duties in peace and war.

*Aggressiveness - React authoritatively with ability to survive and operate skills in attack scenarios and with Self-Aid and Buddy Care in medical emergencies. Effectively continue mission essential activities in all Force Protection levels, and treat inspections and exercises as the real thing.