Eielson finishes strong: 354th FW meets or beats inspection standards

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Gloria Wilson
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AFB, Alaska --  Amid cheers, laughter and roaring applause, the Iceman Team received its Unit Compliance Inspection out-brief at the base theater Tuesday. 

A compilation of the Iceman Team's exploits during the inspection, produced by Eielson's own 354th Communications Squadron multimedia center, treated the capacity crowd to an impressive and often humorous replay of their week-long journey.
Up-tempo, energetic rock music blared from speakers as personnel whooped and hollered when they or their teammates images appeared on the screen. 

Following the slideshow, it was time for what everyone had been waiting for and had worked so hard for - the results. As individual units grades were announced, applause was frequent and unit pride abundant. There were numerous outbursts of unit cheers, unit chants, and unit-specific noisemakers ... notable among them the 354th Mission Support Squadron cowbell and the 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron car horn.
Brig. Gen. Dave Scott, 354th Fighter Wing Commander, commended the wing on its performance, saying it achieved something he'd never seen in his nearly 30 years of service. 

On the five-tier grading system: Outstanding, Excellent, Satisfactory, Marginal and Unsatisfactory, not one 354th FW unit had a rating below satisfactory. 

"That's quite a feat," General Scott said. "That's something to be proud of." 

Thirteen units earned Excellent ratings while 11 earned Satisfactory ratings, combining to achieve the wing's overall Satisfactory rating on the inspection. 

"General Hester has said that Satisfactory is the baseline, the expectation of the inspection," said Maj. Todd Craigie, 354th FW inspector general. "He also said units must earn a Satisfactory, it's not just handed out." 

A Satisfactory means we do not have to do another inspection for four years; we can go forward and focus on the reconstruction of the wing, he added. Operationally, Eielson's next UCI will have a completely different look. 

While Eielson's future operations may be changing, one thing that didn't change was the continuous positive feedback inspectors gave General Scott on the quality professionalism the Iceman Team exhibited throughout the inspection. 

"The inspectors constantly commented on how the people of Eielson had the best attitude they have ever seen," he said. 

Icemen should continue with that attitude and be proud of the effort and dedication they have put forth. Whether its inspection time or day-to-day operations, the Iceman Team continues to do an outstanding job, as evidenced by Eielson real-world events time and time again, he added. 

"We are not satisfactory ... not even close, and don't any of you ever forget that," General Scott said. "You are an outstanding wing. Give 100 percent as you all have, and keep stepping up to the plate." 

In addition to individual unit, group and overall wing ratings, the Pacific Air Forces IG Team also recognized two Outstanding Teams and 44 Outstanding Performers.
Although there were approximately 95 inspectors, in the relatively short period of time they were here, it was not possible to see every person on base shine in what they do. There were many people who worked diligently to ensure this inspection was a success. People put in countless hours during and before the inspection, said Major Craigie. 

"Many people gave their all from various units and sections; Eielson truly came together as a team," he said. "For example, Senior Master Sgt. Cleofas Trejo from the 354th Services Squadron and Tech. Sgt. Randall Foltz from the 354th Logistical Readiness Squadron were just two of many outstanding individuals the wing counted on to make things happen." 

General Scott said he knows how much the people of Eielson do each and every day and declared Oct. 2 a wing down day to thank them for their continual excellence. 

"People are what this wing is all about," he said. "Go back and tell everyone how great the Iceman Team is. Let the Airmen know how great they all did and encourage them to continue to do great things."