Osan receives excellent rating from PACAF inspection

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Michael Battles
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  During a base-wide all call, Col. Patrick McKenzie, 51st Fighter Wing commander, announced the wing received an overall grade of excellent for the Consolidated Unit Inspection.

The CUI is conducted by more than 100 Pacific Air Force inspectors who closely examined how Osan's programs, plans and procedures follow Air Force Instruction and Department of Defense directives.

"Excellent ratings are something that doesn't just happen," McKenzie said. "It takes a lot of hard work."

The inspection also consists of an Article 6 Inspection, Airfield Operations Certification Inspection, Aircrew Standardization/Evaluation Visit, Standardization Evaluation Program for Weather Operations, Health Services Inspection and Logistics Compliance Assessment Program.

Every unit within the 51st FW was evaluated from the wing commander down to individual offices. Offices were then rated based on information and feedback gathered throughout the week. The ratings an office can receive are outstanding, excellent, satisfactory, marginal and unsatisfactory.

For the second part of the inspections Osan Air Base participated in ORE Beverly Midnight 12-02, which evaluated Osan's Exercise Evaluation Team on how well they conduct an ORE.

Throughout the operational readiness exercise, EET evaluated Airmen on their ability to survive and operate in a wartime environment, as well as defend the base, execute combat operations and receive follow-on forces.

"This is what we worked toward for the last six months," said Lt. Col. Steven Harrold, 51st Fighter Wing inspector general. "With the limited resources and personnel, it's phenomenal to see how well we have done. It's due to everyone's hard work they have put into this inspection."

During the week, Airmen also showcased their ability to position, employ and sustain forces during a variety of simulated attacks and simulations. Participants demonstrated the ability to administer self-aid and buddy-care and survive and operate in a chemically contaminated environment.

"The wing received only three significant deficiencies," he said. "This means the Pacific Air Forces IG only deemed three things significant enough for us to respond with corrective actions."

According to Harrold, a typical inspection will generate 10 to 20 significant deficiencies.

Overall Team Osan received a total of 4 Outstanding, 23 Excellent, 18 Satisfactory, two Marginal and zero Unsatisfactory ratings.

The PACAF inspector general also identified 50 outstanding performers, 23 outstanding teams and seven overall superior performers.

"You need to be very proud of what you accomplished in the last two weeks," McKenzie said. "We have set a new course and standard for the Air Force inspector general."

Osan celebrated its excellent ranking with a post-CUI party Sept. 30. The post-party was funded with with money generated through the recycling efforts of Team Osan.

Superior performers:
Master Sgt. Charles Tolbert, 51st Civil Engineer Squadron
Tech. Sgt. Misty Dawson, 51st Force Support Squadron
Staff Sgt. Erica Porter, 51st Fighter Wing Judge Advocate Office
Senior Airman Jessica Collins, 36th Fighter Squadron
Senior Airman Zoya Kidd, 51st Operations Support Squadron
Senior Airman Tin Nguyen, 51st Operations Support Squadron
Airman 1st Class William Eaton, 51st Security Forces Squadron