86th AW earns "EFFECTIVE" rating in UEI

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tryphena Mayhugh
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The 86th Airlift Wing earned an "EFFECTIVE" rating during a Unit Effectiveness Inspection conducted by the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Inspector General team Jan. 4 through 19 on Moron Air Base, Chievres AB and Ramstein.

A UEI is a multi-year, continual evaluation of the unit's effectiveness that helps the wing commander identify blind spots in the wing Commander's Inspection Program.

"UEIs validate and verify a wing's CCIP for accuracy, adequacy and relevance," said Senior Master Sgt. Leida Pedro, USAFE Inspector General superintendent. "It is a continual evaluation of performance throughout the inspection period--a photo album versus a snapshot."

The inspection encompasses four major graded areas that include managing and stewardship of resources, leading people, improving the unit and executing the mission. The 86th AW received a "highly effective" rating in improving the unit and an "effective" rating in the others. In addition, the wing had one process identified as a "benchmark" to be included in the report as an innovation to be shared with all USAFE wings.

The USAFE IG team, which consisted of 110 inspectors, 34 from major command and 76 augmented inspectors, went to individual units to view how they conduct business, and also gauge how the wing staff and IG team inspect the units.

"They're looking for us to self-identify areas where we're not compliant," said Maj. Devin Cummings, 86th AW IG director of inspections. "That's really what it's about, validating and verifying the commander's continuous inspection program and finding our areas of non-compliance where we can be honest about where our wing is."

According to Pedro, discovering the areas where the wing could improve was the main focus of the inspection, but it was also an opportunity to discover where things are being done right.

"We are not only here to identify areas of non-compliance," she said. "At the same time we want to highlight the good work and efforts of the men and women of the 86th AW."

The USAFE IG team identified 10 superior teams and 16 superior performers they believed showed outstanding work within their areas of expertise.  In addition, 51 members of the 86th AW received IG coins for exceptional performance.

Superior Teams:

86th Communication Squadron Satellite Communications
86th Airlift Wing Inspector General Inspection Team
786th Force Support Squadron KMC Lodging Operations
700th Contracting Squadron Government-Wide Purchase Card Team
37th Airlift Squadron Intelligence Flight
86th Logistics Readiness Squadron Equipment Accountability Element
86th Munitions Squadron Quality Assurance
86th Security Forces Squadron Unit Deployment Managers
569th U.S. Forces Police Squadron
86th Medical Support Squadron Medical Readiness Office


Superior Performers:

Staff Sgt. Lawrence Reyes, 86th Maintenance Squadron
Capt. Alina Kendrick, 86th Medical Operations Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Lashana Lloyd, 86th MDSS
Staff Sgt. Franklin Dover, 86th MDSS
Staff Sgt. Whitney Taylor, 786th FSS
Tech. Sgt. Matthew Smith, 786th Civil Engineer Squadron
Senior Airman Amanda Jolly, 786th FSS
Tech. Sgt. Christopher Degruyter, 86th Maintenance Group
Senior Airman Antigany Temple, 86th AW Command Post
Staff Sgt. Erica Johnson, 86th AW Command Post
Staff Sgt. Timothy Carroll, 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Civilian Amy Kostos, 786th FSS
Civilian Marcos Matos, 86th FSS
Tech. Sgt. Matthew Hendrickson, 86th MXS
Staff Sgt. Jereamy Day, 86th AMXS
Tech. Sgt. Ambree Evans, 86th Aerospace Medicine Squadron

"Congratulations to all Airmen in the mighty 86th," said Brig. Gen. Jon T. Thomas, 86th AW commander. "I am proud of the work you have done, and continue to do, to instill a culture of mission accomplishment, compliance with directives and desire to become better every day to fix any areas where we encounter challenges. Every Airman, every day, makes a difference, and you are doing exactly that. Well Done!"

The UEI conducted by the USAFE IG team helped to keep Ramstein and the Air Force efficient and ready. By testing procedures and searching for new ways to keep the base running smoothly, Ramstein can continue to become better and grow.