‘Leaders in Excellence’ earn excellent from inspection

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. James Bishop and MSgt. Andrew Biscoe
  • 439th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. --  A loud cheer echoed through the Westover Conference Center Aug.12 from more than 100 men and women of the 439th Airlift Wing as the inspection results were announced. The Patriot Wing earned an excellent rating base-wide on its Consolidated Unit Inspection.

"The inspection team went through the base with a fine-tooth comb inspecting every unit, and they determined that the wing's processes and operations are excellent," said Col. Steven Vautrain, commander. "This confirms the hard and smart teamwork I see in action on base every day."

The 55-person inspection team flew up from Air Force Reserve Command headquarters at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The inspection team chief, Brig. Gen. John Mooney, told the crowd, "There were more strengths in this wing than we normally see."

The CUI's listing of dozens of Westover superior performers was so long that the team directed Patriot Wing senior leadership to recognize them during September's Family Day.

"This is the longest list of superior performers we've ever seen," Mooney said.

The CUI team arrived at Westover Aug. 8. The team began its inspections throughout the base Aug. 9 and through the August A UTA. They were responsible for reviewing how the 439th conducts its day-to-day operations - from its offices to the flight line, to the base gates - virtually everything on the base proper.

The general's effusive praise also took note of the most unusual obstacle perhaps ever faced by a Westover wing -- five furlough days in July and August that stood between the wing's final preparation and the CUI's arrival.

Inspectors looked at nearly all base functions, from flight operations, C-5 aircraft maintenance, aerial port, personnel, finance, public affairs, civil engineering, communications and computers, security forces, medical, firefighting, airlift control, aeromedical evacuation, and aeromedical staging. They also inspected operations and support at Westover of the newly-arrived F-15s from the 104th Fighter Wing at Barnes.

"This is a wonderful wing doing a wonderful job for our country," Mooney said. "Your reputation preceded you....you don't see this every day. You guys rock."