HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --
The “New” Air Force Inspection System is not so new anymore at five years old. However, it’s still possible that the upcoming Capstone event is the first time you’ve witnessed it in person. As the 49th Operations Group commander, I wanted to share some of my experiences with Team Holloman in hopes that you have a better understanding on what the Capstone visit is and how it fits into the overall 49th Wing Unit Effectiveness Inspection.
First of all, it’s important to remember that AFIS cycle is two years long and the 49th Wing has been continuously evaluated during that timeframe. In addition to virtual looks at individual units’ Management Internal Control Toolset other communicators, such as wing survey results prior to the IG team visit and Airmen-To-IG Sessions during the Capstone can all focus what the team looks at during their week in New Mexico. The Capstone visit is the last week of the UEI inspection cycle and plays a crucial role in the overall assessment of the wing.
Previously, I have used the Capstone week to validate, educate, and motivate. First, my core team, as well as augmentee inspectors, would focus on their functional expertise and ensure squadrons throughout the wing were compliant with applicable Air Force Instructions -- validate. Secondly, since they were experts, we spent a lot of time instructing and educating Airmen over the course of the week -- educate. Finally, when we found outstanding Airmen, teams or processes, my team would highlight those members to squadron leadership, and periodically recognize them in the final inspection report or with an on-the-spot coin from the IG team -- motivate.
The primary mission of the IG team during the Capstone week is to highlight any areas of non-compliance and, therefore, undetected risk to wing leadership. This final grade will occur during the wing outbrief, where each of the Major Graded Areas are scored on a four-tier scale from highly-effective to ineffective. A simple way to remember the MGAs is using the MILE acronym: Managing Resources, Improving the Unit, Leading People and Executing the Mission. Some Air Force units use the term “Running the MILE” as their inspection tool. Others call it “Sucking the Lime.” It is the IG team’s responsibility to “bin” write-ups where they determine the problem ultimately belongs so they can be properly addressed. For example, a write-up for improper training documentation could be binned under Leading People or under Managing Resources-- depending on the circumstances or prevalence to that unit. It could also be binned under Executing the Mission if that training was a critical enabler to the overall wing’s mission. Either way, during inspections, binning is the job of the IG team and not the unit’s concern.
The Capstone week should not be treated any differently than any other week of the year for the 49th Wing. It’s important for the IG team to get a clean snapshot of the wing and not a false representation. Therefore, you should not do anything different leading up to the Capstone event or during the actual week. When you see inspectors wearing IG badges don’t shy away, approach them. Render proper customs and courtesies, and ask if you can help. Often they are unfamiliar with the base and looking for a specific office or person. Don’t be afraid to engage in a conversation with the inspectors. They might ask you where you are from, what unit are you with, how you like the base, where is a good place to eat, what is the wing’s mission, who is your unit security manager, etc. If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s okay to admit it and get them the correct answer later. It’s best not to guess or provide a wrong answer.
A good source of information is your squadron’s bulletin board. Make sure you know where it is located and that it is updated. Otherwise, you can ask a co-worker, supervisor or research it, and get back to the IG team member the next day.
Communication across a wing, up and down the chain, is an important aspect of the Capstone week, so expect the team to evaluate how the wing communicates across all the MGAs. This task is just too difficult to determine without boots on the ground.
The Capstone week is also an important opportunity for the wing to communicate to the Major Command, the Air Staff, and the rest of the Air Force. Squadrons should take advantage of the visit to highlight all the great work your Airman have accomplished over the last 24 months. Units should also highlight innovative processes and procedures, which might get “benchmarked” and change how the Air Force does business. Check out the AFIA website for previous benchmarks.
It’s also a time to share with the IG team areas of concern. Don’t be afraid to highlight where the unit is taking risk, as this should already be captured in your Commander’s Inspection Program. In USAFE, we emphasized the phrase “Embrace the Red” because we knew you can’t always do more with less.
Finally, expect your unit to get written up for something.
I’ve never heard of an inspection team not finding anything during their visit. If there are potential write-ups, the unit should expect an informal verbal outbrief from an IG team member each day and a formal outbrief at the end of the week.
Do not argue with the IG team.
Remember, all findings are potential findings. You will have the opportunity to provide mitigating information before the end of the week, and the wing has a week after the IG team leaves to clarify any findings. The MAJCOM functional must validate every major finding the IG discovers. The 2017 49th Wing UEI grade is not settled until the final UEI report is written 30 days after the IG team departs Holloman.
The Inspector General’s motto is “we are here to help,” which often gets a chuckle. But, it’s essential to realize that we are all on the same team, and Holloman AFB will be better after the Capstone visit. There are always areas we can improve. Remember also, that the 2019 UEI inspection cycle starts the Monday after the Capstone visit, so don’t let your guard down, continue to do the great work that enables the 49th Wing mission: Graduating combat ready RPA aircrew, supporting Team Holloman and feeding the fight. Combat airpower starts here.