RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The 86th Operations Group scored an overall "excellent" on the Aircrew Standardization and Evaluation Visit Oct. 30 to Nov. 3.

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe inspectors observed several processes, gave tests and reviewed paperwork to inspect each unit's ability to document, fly and execute missions safely and effectively.

"The men and women of the 86th Operations Group are living examples of "service before self," said Col. Hank Sanders, 86th OG commander. "They continue to excel and accomplish the mission despite the challenges of heavy taskings and a high ops tempo. We are incredibly proud of everything our unit members achieve on a daily basis."

While the 86th OG as a whole received an "excellent," the 86th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron scored an "outstanding."

"My flight nurses and aeromedical evacuation medical technicians proved to the stan/eval inspectors how well they perform this mission everyday," said Col. Beth Harrell, 86th AES commander. "It's tough to get an "outstanding" for any squadron, especially when the ops tempo is so high supporting OEF/OIF and CONUS AE missions. This was well deserved."

The critical inspection confirmed that the 86th OG is always ready for combat 24 hours a day, seven days a week, said Colonel Sanders.

"From the 86th OG standardization and evaluation staff to all of the squadron's standardization and evaluation sections, they worked long hours preparing for this inspection and their preparation paid off with a strong 'excellent'," he said.