Agency earns "Excellent" inspection rating

  • Published
  • By Ryan Hansen
  • Air Force Weather Agency Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  After reviewing what seemed like an endless number of files, hundreds of checklists and digging through every nook and cranny, inspectors gave the Air Force Weather Agency an "Excellent" rating on their Unit Compliance Inspection held here Nov. 17-21.

UCIs are conducted by the Air Force Inspection Agency and are done to assess the health of a unit. Twelve inspectors scrutinized AFWA's processes and procedures to ensure they were in compliance with Air Force Instructions and mission ready.

"The Air Force Weather Agency excelled in most areas of the inspection," said Lt. Col. Michael Freestone, compliance inspection team chief. "Members of the agency worked hard to meet, and in several instances exceed, the spirit and intent of Air Force governance and (Department of Defense) requirements."

During the five day inspection, 556 applicable compliance checklist items were reviewed in eight different compliance checklists.

"An overall 'excellent' rating is not easy to earn and is testimony to the many hours of work by our functional teams and from each and every person in the organization," said Col. John Murphy, AFWA commander. "We obviously weren't perfect but we came a long way in the last six months."

Five areas received an "Outstanding" rating: By Law, Executive Orders and DoD Requirements, Contracting, Safety, Emergency Management/Security and Financial Management; one received an "Excellent" rating: Communications and Information; and two received a "Satisfactory" rating: Personnel and Knowledge Operations Management.

"Overall, the men and women of AFWA displayed a tremendous sense of pride, professionalism and total commitment in all facets of their mission and should be commended for an exceptional performance," Colonel Freestone said.

The UCI team identified seven individuals as superior performers: Tech. Sgt. Mark Cornell, Master Sgt. Lesley Green, Mr. Michael Kochaver, Master Sgt. Dawn Kost, Master Sgt. Phillip Loomis, Mr. Stephen Williams and Capt. Brian Woolley.

The inspectors also lauded three superior teams: Financial Management, IT Asset Management and Training.

"Our folks all had a great attitude, they showed tremendous professionalism and dedication and it clearly impressed the inspectors from day one and that made us all look good," Colonel Murphy said. "I'm proud of everyone in our entire organization."

AFWA is made up of more than 1,100 active duty members, civilians and contractors and this UCI was the first ever held at the new headquarters facility.