445th AW readies for first-ever UEI Published Feb. 13, 2014 By Capt. Elizabeth Caraway 445th Airlift Wing Public Affairs WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Members of the 445th Airlift Wing will have the opportunity to showcase their excellence in the wing's first-ever Unit Effectiveness Inspection March 6-12. The new Air Force Inspection System is a continual evaluation on a 24-month cycle that grades a unit in four areas: managing resources, leading people, improving the unit, and executing the mission. Lt. Col. Joseph Savage, the wing's former combat readiness officer and current 445th Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, explained that the UEI represents a complete revamping of the Air Force method of inspections. "Air Force inspections used to occur about every four years. During the time in between inspections, units might get lax about meeting standards, then there would be a ramp up about one year to six months before the inspection. Airmen would print our mounds of paperwork for inspection binders. There had to be a designated staff to travel," said Savage. "Overall, the process cost the Air Force a lot of time, money, and resources. Additionally, the results weren't necessarily accurate because people were not presenting their 'business-as-usual' information because they didn't want write-ups. Everyone was concerned with putting their best foot forward." The focus of the new inspection system is continual compliance, explained Maj. Denny Park, the new 445th Director of Inspections. "[The new system] should make us more efficient and allow us to operate in a steady state. The goal is to always be compliant," said Park. Rather than scrambling to fulfill requirements that haven't been met in years, "this system will help us find undetected noncompliance," Park explained. "We want to identify problems so we can fix them, not just hide them." "Be honest about your programs," agreed Savage. "If you're not fully functional, tell us what you need so we can fix it--manning, money, etc. Air Force Reserve Command already knows we can do our mission, now they want to know how effective we are." The results of unit self-assessments and virtual sampling will determine the size of the inspection team in March. Wing members should anticipate being interviewed by the Inspector General team and "look sharp, be sharp...prove the 445th Airlift Wing is the best wing in AFRC!" said Park. Savage acknowledged that, for many, the new system represents a culture change that may be difficult in the beginning. However, "it will eventually become the normal course of business and the major inspections will become easier because we'll always be compliant." "Ultimately, the result of the new system should be a happier, more motivated workforce," said Savage. The new 445th Inspections Office has a few vacancies for hard-charging Airmen. Interested reservists should contact Maj Denny Park at (937) 257-0435 after consulting their supervisor.