How effective is D-M?

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sivan Veazie
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS_MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The Desert Lightning Team will be tested on how effectively its mission is executed during a Unit Effectiveness Inspection, March 20-30.

A UEI is a capstone event, which is a continual evaluation of performance throughout an inspection period. A UEI is broken up into four major gradable areas; managing resources, leading people, improving the unit and executing the mission.

"UEIs validate and verify a wings commander's inspection program for accuracy, adequacy and relevance. It provides an independent assessment of the wing's resource management, leadership, process improvement efforts and the ability to execute the mission," said Tech. Sgt. Adam Rigby, 355th Fighter Wing Inspector General wing inspection team manager. "To sum it all up, basically what used to be called a (consolidated unit inspection) or (operational readiness inspection) is now rolled up into one big inspection."

The DLT will be constantly planning and performing their day-to-day tasks to the best of their ability in order to make a capstone visit successful said Master Sgt. Stephanie Greer, 355th Fighter Wing management internal control toolset (MICT) manager.

UEIs are a new concept for the U.S. Air Force. They also are two-year occurrence where Air Combat Command will inspect D-M's MICT for any discrepancies. Additionally, they will ask D-M to host various small scaled exercises in order to evaluate the wing's inspection team.

"Furthermore, UEIs will end up saving taxpayer dollars, by reducing the number of temporary duty stations that inspectors will have to take in order to conduct these inspections," added Master Sgt. Mark Molineaux, 355th Fighter Wing Inspector General wing inspection plans manager.

Lastly, ACC will interview Airmen and spouses around the base to get an overall gauge of the programs and quality of life on D-M.

This inspection is designed to minimize the footprint of an inspection, which allows commanders more flexibility in managing their programs and brings more focus toward the mission that is accomplished every day said Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Hadden, 355th Fighter Wing Inspector General superintendent.

"This is our time to show ACC how effectively we conduct our day-to-day business," said Tech. Sgt. Rigby. "So let's showcase our ability to execute the 355 Fighter Wing mission!"