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171st Rated Effective by Inspectors

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Shawn Monk
  • 171st Air Refueling
The 171st Air Refueling Wing was rated "effective" after an eight-day inspection in October of 2015 that included an in-depth look at the programs and procedures of every work section on base.

The Unit Effectiveness Inspection (UEI), or Capstone, is the culminating event in the Air Force's new Air Force Inspection System (AFIS). Inspectors from Air Mobility Command's Inspector General's Office (AMCIG), conduct the final inspection via a team of experts from Active Duty Air Force and Air National Guard units from across the country. The 72 inspectors that visited the 171st dispersed into various work sections on base, each inspector, tasked with validating programs and systems within their area of expertise. Sections were individually rated, and at the end of the inspection an overall rating was given to the wing.

The 171st will have a UEI every five years, but the new inspection process endures every day. This is because of the second part of the inspection called the Management Internal Control Toolset (MICT). MICT is a virtual inspection for each section and program on base. The section and program manager is responsible for ensuring their "MICT checklist" is current year-round. The 171st has its own Inspector General (IG) team that monitors all the checklists and ensures compliance throughout the year.  The 171st IG also conducts random exercises that simulate a variety of situations; for example, a building fire exercise, or an aircraft nose gear collapse exercise. This helps to ensure the 171st is ready to respond to any situation at any time.

Senior Master Sgt. Mike Duganieri, a member of the 171st IG team said that a MICT inspection "...identifies shortfalls of every organization through monthly meetings of commanders and the Inspection Management Board." Calling attention to any shortfalls regularly allows commanders to make decisions that can mitigate the problem.

At the end of the inspection, ten different teams and 4 individuals were awarded by AMCIG inspectors for their outstanding performance.

With another successful inspection complete, the 171st continues its tradition of excellence.