Wing completes Unit Effectiveness Inspection Published Jan. 15, 2014 By 127th Public Affairs SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- Worlds collided, finally, as the Air Combat Command Inspector General and team were joined by the Air Mobility Command Inspector General team at the first Air National Guard Unit Effectiveness Inspection of the 127th Wing January 9-15. The 127th Wing, which is an ACC-designated wing flying A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft also has an AMC group flying KC-135 Stratotankers, and an Air Force Special Operations Command Weather Flight. With this inspection, the 127th Wing succeeded in getting higher headquarters to synchronize the inspection cycles of all major commands within the UEI. The UEI goes above and beyond the typical Unit Compliance Inspection and includes components from other inspections, such as Aircrew Standardization and Evaluation and Logistics Compliance Assessment Program. At the same time, the wing hosted an Environmental, Safety, Occupational Health (ESOH) Requirements inspection team. "We've had a lot going on this week. We've tried for years to sync up our AMC/ACC inspection cycles and have finally succeeded with that," said Colonel Michael Thomas, 127th Wing commander, to wing members at an out-briefing for the EUI. Four Major Graded Areas (MGAs) were measured for an overall look at wing effectiveness: leading people, management of resources, executing missions, and improving the unit. These MGAs show the Air Force that the unit is a well-run organization, not just in time for an inspection, but rather all the time. According to AFI 90-201, this new inspections system is meant to foster a culture of critical self-assessment, continuous improvement and to reduce the reliance on external inspection agencies. Thomas told his unit, "We are an 'effective' wing. They have validated what I've always thought about how you perform. But we have work to do still, room to grow and preparation for the upcoming Commander's Inspection Program construct which aligns us to be our best for our next EUI in 4 to 6 years." The inspection results are graded with the tier grading scale: Outstanding, Highly Effective, Effective, Marginally Effective, and Ineffective. Brig. Gen. Leonard Isabelle, Michigan Air National Guard commander, was on-hand to congratulate the wing on their performance and to assist with handing out awards for superior performers. "Let's build upon this inspection for the next cycle. We don't have to worry about the next inspection officially for four years, but this will become something we work on continuously," Isabelle said, referring to the new inspection process in which wing members will be responsible for assessing their own deficiencies, reporting them to the IG and implementing plans of action to correct any found deficiencies. This will be accomplished in an on-going manner by exercises and self-assessment, followed by an in-depth capstone inspection event about every 48 months. "By continuously evaluating our own processes and determining what is needed and how to fix any deficiencies, we will be performing at the top of our game all the time," Isabelle said. "We will also save both money and effort in the long run by avoiding the ramping up of inspections for our three major commands every few months." Comprised of approximately 1,700 personnel and flying both the A-10 Thunderbolt II and the KC-135 Stratotanker, the 127th Wing supports Air Mobility Command, Air Combat Command and Air Force Special Operation Command by providing highly-skilled Airmen to missions domestically and overseas. The 127th Wing is the host unit at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which marks its 97th year of continuous military air operations in 2014.