349 AMW Unit Effectiveness Inspection Capstone Kicks Off

  • Published
  • By Maj. Samuel Lee
  • 349th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The AFRC Inspector General (IG) team from Robins AFB, Ga. kicked off the "capstone" Unit Effectiveness Inspection (UEI) for the 349th Air Mobility Wing, July 21, 2017.

A team of 47 members arrived this week as part of the Air Force Inspection System (AFIS) that was initiated in 2013 to give an all-inclusive picture of overall unit effectiveness. The team’s visit is one of 23 inspections done annually among the Air Force Reserve Command’s 46 wings. This visit highlights the end of a two-year cyclical process to evaluate the wing’s performance.

“The UEI is not a compliance inspection. We’re not here to see if the 349 AMW is in compliance with Air Force Instructions,” said Col. Randall Bright, AFRC Deputy Inspector General. “The last chapter of the UEI is the capstone where the AFRC IG comes to get a pulse check on the two years of input and identify areas of focus.”

Inspections prior to 2013 were more of a snapshot of unit performance but for the past four years it has become like a photo album with many data points in the major graded areas including: managing resources, leading people, improving the unit, and executing the mission.

“The idea behind this (UEI) isn’t to gather data to show how good or bad the wing is doing,” said Bright. “If there’s an area that’s not doing well, it may not be your fault. If you need resources, equipment, or manpower, then maybe this can influence leaders to make those programs better.”

A key aspect of the UEI is the on-site inspection. A sampling of military, civilian, and spouses are identified to independently assess unit effectiveness. The IG conducts Airmen-to-IG Sessions (ATIS) made up of 12-person focus groups and individual interviews to create a picture of the wing’s culture and atmosphere.

According to Bright, “the biggest, most important take away for the 349th Air Mobility Wing is that, when we’re done with our report, we’re hoping to recognize star performers and programs while also identifying areas in need of encouragement.”

Before the UEI team leaves they will leave behind a final draft of their report and will give the wing five business days to provide a rebuttal. This provides the wing a final opportunity to uncover anything that may have been overlooked. Once the report is finalized, any major discrepancies or shortfalls are given 18 months’ time for corrective action. Six months after the deadline, the cycle continues.