Minneapolis AF Reserve unit earns high marks in inspection

The 934th Airlift Wing, Minnesota’s only Air Force Reserve Unit, was rated “Highly Effective” in its first inspection under the Air Force’s newest inspection program by an Inspector General team who visited the unit March 12-17.

The IG team conducted a “Capstone” which is a culminating event that ends the current 24-30 month Unit Effectiveness Inspection (UEI). Both the Capstone and UEI are processes of the Air Force's new inspection process called the Air Force Inspection System. During their six-day visit, inspectors visited all work areas of the 934th AW and also conducted confidential interviews with Airmen selected at random. These interviews allowed Airmen discuss their thoughts on the effectiveness of the wing and also bring up ideas for improvement.

Although it does assess a unit's compliance with regulations, a UEI focuses heavily on how effectively a unit performs in four major areas: managing resources, improving the unit, leading people and executing the mission. At the conclusion of the UEI, inspectors rate the unit as either 'Outstanding,' 'Highly Effective,' 'Effective', 'Marginally Effective,' or 'Ineffective.'

AFIS allows units to review programs on continual basis during a UEI period. Commanders are required to communicate their programs through continuous Management Internal Controls Toolset validation. “This avoids program decay by focusing on programs continuously versus right before a major inspection,” said Maj. Jerry Snider, 934th Airlift Wing director of inspections. “On a quarterly basis commanders review the top deficiencies within each unit during the Commanders Inspection Management Board (CIMB), chaired by the wing commander. By using this approach, AFIS keeps our weak areas on the radar throughout the year,” said Snider. AFIS clearly states that units are not to prep for inspections. “Needless prep and endless hours of planning to ensure a passing grade are things of the past. Mission Readiness = Inspection Readiness is now the goal. Based on the results of our inspection, we can see that the program works,” he said.

During their visit, the IG team selected individuals and teams of Airmen identified as superior performers. Individuals selected were: Maj. Jerry Snider, 934th Inspections Directorate; Maj. Chad Versteeg, 934th Operations Support Squadron; Capt. Aaron Kuschera, 934th OSS; Master Sgt. Nathan Dillner, 934th Communications Squadron; Master Sgt. Elizabeth Johnston, 934th Maintenance Group; Tech. Sgt. Timothy Johnson, 934th Civil Engineer Squadron; Tech. Sgt. Chad McCoy, 934th CES; Tech. Sgt. Lesley Carhart, 934th CS and Mr. Rodney Schaffer, 934th Airlift Wing. Senior Airman Brent Terwey, 96th Airlift Squadron, was selected for the Military Bearing Award.

Superior Teams were: Senior Master Sgt. Todd Rice, Master Sgt. David Hanson-Best and Tech Sgt. Steven Ward, 934th Logistics Readiness Squadron Plans and Integration; Staff Sgt. William Swanson, Mr. Gregory Mahoney, Mr. Derek Green and Ms. Sonja Fisher, 934th Communications Squadron Telecommunications; Tech Sgt. Thomas Jorgenson, Tech Sgt. Thomas Hill, Senior Airman Tyler Olson and Airman 1st Class Haley Erschens, 934th LRS Materiel Management; Maj. Joshua Nelson, Master Sgt. Quentin Will and Master Sgt. Eric Schraeder, 96th Airlift Squadron Training; Tech Sgt. Erica Hokkanen and Tech. Sgt. Rick Zenner, 934th Developmental Training Flight.

With the Capstone inspection complete, the 934th will not have another major formal inspection for another two years. But since AFIS is a continuous process, that doesn’t mean the inspection process stops. The MICT and higher headquarters analysis, which is 80-90 percent of the inspection, will continue as part of day-to-day operations.

"The 934th Airlift Wing should be very proud of the results from our first Capstone inspection under the new Air Force Inspection System,” said Col. Todd J. McCubbin, 934th Airlift Wing Commander. “The pride, professionalism and openness to make improvements set us apart once again. The entire leadership is very proud of what our wing members have achieved. Congratulations to everyone in the Viking Wing!"

Background

The 934th Airlift Wing, also known as the “Global Vikings,” is Minnesota’s only Air Force Reserve unit. It is a combat-ready Air Force Reserve Command flying unit made up of nearly 1450 Airmen, which serves as the Department of Defense’s host for Army, Navy, Marine and Air National Guard units at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Air Reserve Station, Minn.

The wing’s mission is to fly C-130H3 cargo aircraft, both airdropping and airlanding cargo and people. Aeromedical evacuation of patients within the theater of operations is another facet of the mission. The 934th Airlift Wing supports the Air Force mission on a daily basis, providing airlift both in the United States and around the world.

Within the last 24 months the 934th has deployed 202 airmen throughout 171 deployments supporting operations Nobel Eagle, Enduring Freedom, Unified Response, Joint Guardian and Coronet Oak.