Kadena passes Operational Readiness Inspection

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Amanda Savannah
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Brig. Gen. Matt Molloy, 18th Wing commander, announced the wing's overall grade of 'Satisfactory' Aug. 23 following the no-notice Pacific Air Forces Inspector General's Operational Readiness Inspection here.

"Throughout this summer, I asked you to demonstrate our 'culture of conspicuous compliance,' and you far exceeded my -- and the IG team's -- expectations," Molloy said. "In the end, we delivered it all -- Airmen, cargo and jets -- as specified by our wartime plans."

The wing also went above and beyond the IG's requirements, delivering 120 percent of its tasked aircraft to the inspectors.

"The satisfactory grade does not reflect the effort and flexibility that the wing demonstrated during the course of the no-notice ORI," said Capt. Richard Ward, 18th Wing Plans chief of exercises. "The comments of the IG team do, however. PACAF IG was incredibly impressed by the overall state of the wing's combat readiness."

Although cargo preparations delayed cargo and passenger processing in the beginning of the inspection, Molloy said the wing quickly caught up and finished strong, earning 'Excellent' grades for the Command and Control and Preparing for Operations measured areas.

"I'm reminded that all organizations stumble from time to time, but truly great ones rapidly recover, accelerate and finish strong. We did exactly that," Molloy said.

"In every evaluation, there will undoubtedly be errors or events that do not go as we envisioned," Ward said, echoing the general. "The way in which Team Kadena corrected and pressed on speaks to the preparation and warrior mentality Kadena Airmen possess."

Three Kadena members were recognized for their exceptional performance and received an IG coin:

- Shirley Bratton, 18th Force Support Squadron
- Senior Airman Hunter C. Rains, 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- Senior Airman Nicholas H. Warden, 18th Wing Judge Advocate's office

Eighteen others were also lauded as Outstanding Performers:

- Capt. Paula R. Charvat, 18th FSS
- Senior Master Sgt. Kimberly G. Turner, 18th FSS
- Tech. Sgt. Joseph Atherton, 18th Munitions Squadron
- Tech. Sgt. Vanity S. Davis, 18th Aerospace Medicine Squadron
- Tech. Sgt. Aura B. Hampton, 18th Medical Support Squadron
- Tech. Sgt. Lizardo Santiago, 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- Staff Sgt. Luis C. Deleon, 18th MUNS
- Staff Sgt. Jacqueline M. Jacobson, 18th FSS
- Staff Sgt. Nicholas B. Johnson, 18th MDSS
- Staff Sgt. David E. Logue, 18th MUNS
- Staff Sgt. Wayne D. Pfeuffer, 18th MUNS
- Staff Sgt. Stephanie C. Rivera, 18th AMXS
- Senior Airman Dimarko A. Britton, 18th Security Forces Squadron
- Senior Airman Heather M. Myhres, 18th Comptroller Squadron
- Senior Airman Alison E. Phillip, 18th Operations Group
- Airman 1st Class James C. Makarzyk, 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron
- Airman 1st Class Toni A. Manalo, 18th FSS
- Airman 1st Class Brandon T. Spears, 18th SFS

The following sections were also recognized as Outstanding Groups:
- 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Weapons Load Crew #4
- Aerospace Ground Equipment Flight Equipment Deployment Preparation Team
- Combat Arms
- Deployment Management Team
- Individual Protective Equipment Team
- Security Forces Mobility Team

As the inspection came on the tail of the loss of two Kadena Airmen Aug. 15, Molloy noted his pride in the Shogun Warriors.

"I am very proud of you all for your excellence in performance and sustaining the mission ... even in the face of tragedy and loss," he said.