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Inspectors say 43rd AW Logistics Capabilities are Excellent

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Cammie Quinn
  • 43rd Airlift Wing, Public Affairs
The long wait is over, and the results are in. Team Pope's logistics functions are excellent, and the numbers prove it.

A group of inspectors from the Logistics Compliance Assessment Program was directed to visit the 43rd Airlift Wing June 14 through 19 to evaluate Airmen's ability to perform their mission in accordance with Air Force and Air Mobility Command policy and directives, Col. William Zeck, LCAP team chief, said. The LCAP focused on evaluating the effectiveness of personnel and logistics processes.

"We took an extremely close and purposeful look at all appropriate logistics areas. There is no doubt the logistics functions in the 43rd AW are fulfilling their mission with excellence," said Colonel Zeck.

Inspectors assessed logistic functions of the 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 43rd Logistics Readiness Squadron and 3rd Aerial Port Squadron.

"Leadership, teamwork, morale and mission-focus were obvious keys to the success and were reinforced by the positive 'can-do' attitude of the Wing's personnel."

Overall, the 43rd AW logistics functions were rated "excellent."

During the inspection, a team of 29 evaluators from more than 10 bases assigned to Air Mobility Command used technical orders, instructions, manuals and directives to accomplish personnel proficiency and process effectiveness.

One propulsion inspector said he believes it's important to conduct these inspections on a regular and thorough basis because of Pope's unique mission.

"We had to get an equal look for all of the specialty realms in 43rd AMXS," Master Sgt. Bradley Candler, LCAP inspector, said. "The Airmen have a variety of skill and experience levels, and they face challenges with the different air frames that Pope encounters. They need to be trained not only on C-130s, but also C-5s and C-17s."

"Morale in the 43rd AMXS is good, and as a squadron, everything runs well," he added.
The 43rd AMXS scored an "excellent," along with the 43rd Operations Group, 43rd Mission Support Group and 43rd LRS.

"I'm happy with the score we received," Lt. Col. Michael Estira, 43rd LRS commander, said. "The preparation was intense and it prepared us to perform very well. We received kudos from the inspectors, who said our Airmen demonstrate both professionalism and are highly motivated. I'm proud of the professionals in our squadron, who have become known as the 'logistics dream team.'"

Airmen in the 3rd Aerial Port Squadron had their own motivations to perform well. Lt. Col. Frank Flores, 3rd APS commander, Chief Master Sgt. Patton Scales, 3rd APS command chief and Edwin Byrnes, 3rd APS assistant director of operations, agreed they'd shave their heads, provided his team scored an "outstanding" with no repeat write ups, tech data violations, unsatisfactory condition reports or detectable safety violations.

With a score of 97.9 percent, the trio is happy to follow through with their pledge.
"I wanted to challenge the squadron and make it fun at the same time," Colonel Flores said of his decision to shave his head. "The LCAP is a very demanding inspection and I had to let my Airmen understand the balance hard nose press to be safe and comply with standards as well as use it as a boost in morale.

"Plus, I wanted to see Chief Scales and Mr. Byrnes with a shaved head," the colonel added.

Lt. Col. Flores said he is ecstatic about the results for his squadron and that the members all worked very hard to execute the mission.

"This is the best the squadron has ever been," he said. "We really came together as leadership team and squadron. We've been through some tough times, but pushed through and took on the LCAP challenge."

Overall, Pope did well in the inspection, and the inspectors were impressed with the level of professionalism and pride Team Pope's Airmen have in their work.

"Team Pope demonstrated outstanding pride and dedication while proving extraordinarily capable of executing their mission," Colonel Zeck said.