Another "first" for 13th Air Force: Unit Readies for Inspectors

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Bill Walkowiak
  • 13th Air Force
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Thirteenth Air Force passes another milestone next week when it hosts the Pacific Air Forces Inspector General team to conduct the first Unit Compliance Inspection of a component-numbered air force. 

The inspection, which runs Oct. 14-19, is 13th AF's first UCI since the unit stood up as a C-NAF on Oct. 6, 2006. 

The UCI will review established processes and procedures and assess how well 13th AF complies with regulatory guidance as a C-NAF. Prior to the inspection, there were no existing checklists to evaluate the C-NAF functions. In preparation for the UCI, the PACAF Bearcats, PACAF functionals, and 13th AF staff worked together to develop checklists that will be used during the inspection and could potentially be benchmarked for future C-NAF inspections throughout the Air Force. 

"As we strive -- and succeed -- on a daily basis to maintain 'excellence in all we do,' the UCI will afford 13th AF the opportunity to take a more discerning and detailed look at all of the processes we've established to better accomplish the mission," said Maj. Gen. Richard Perraut, 13th AF vice commander. 

Preparation began in March with series of meetings between the functional managers and the PACAF Inspector General staff, inspectors, and augmentees. Personnel from the 613th Air and Space Operations Center visited their counterparts at 12th AF, Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., for technical interchange meetings. Other 13th AF staff traveled to Korea to observe 7th AF's inspection and capture lessons learned. 

"We've worked as a team to identify and highlight our most innovative and superior processes and programs, as well as improve those that needed more attention," said General Perraut. "We've put in a lot of effort and focus, and have come a long way as an organization." 

The C-NAF, and 13th AF, is still evolving as an organization. While roles and responsibilities continue to be defined and manpower aligned, the C-NAF is designed to ultimately streamline air operations with a dedicated, joint-focused staff to conduct planning, command and control, execution and assessment of air, space and information operations. 

"We are excited about this inspection," said Lt. Gen. Loyd S. "Chip" Utterback, 13th AF commander. "The folks in our AFFOR staff and AOC are trailblazing the new C-NAF and warfighting headquarters concept. There is no question in my mind that their innovation, hard work and tremendous talent are setting new Air Force and joint warfighting standards."