JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
After months of workplace preparation and exercises, the men and women of the 502nd Air Base Wing, 802nd Mission Support Group, 37th Training Wing and 59th Medical Wing are ready to face the week-long combined Compliance Inspection.
A biennial event, the CI will be the largest in Air Education and Training Command when about 200 AETC inspectors arrive to observe participating Joint Base organizations. The inspection, which kicks off Monday and continues through March 12, is the first of its kind since the formation of Joint Base San Antonio in 2010.
"I'm continually impressed by the outstanding performance of the men and women assigned to JBSA-Lackland, whether they are providing exceptional base support services, turning trainees into Airmen or caring for the health and welfare of our service members, their families and our retirees," said Brig. Gen. Theresa C. Carter, 502nd ABW commander.
"The 902nd MSG at JBSA-Randolph got the air base wing compliance inspection off to a great start last month and I expect the IG will find that same level of excellent performance here next week," Carter said.
Members of the 502nd ABW, 802nd MSG, 37th TRW and 59th MDW have spent ample time readying for these types of inspections, previously known as Unit Compliance Inspections. The inspection team will evaluate people on how they effectively, efficiently and safely accomplish their mission.
Customs and courtesies, and dress and appearance of JBSA-Lackland community members are among the major elements inspectors will observe. All personnel are expected to be professional at all times during the inspectors' stay on base.
Col. Eric Axelbank, 37th TRW commander, said the Air Force's largest training wing is prepared for the inspection.
"The 37th Training Wing welcomes the AETC Inspector General team, and we look forward to showcasing our immense pride, teamwork and professionalism," Axelbank said. "It's the bottom of the ninth, the bases are loaded, the score is tied and the mighty Warhawks are about to bring home the trophy."
Maj. Gen. (Dr.) Byron Hepburn, 59th MDW commander, agreed with Axelbank's readiness assessment.
"Our wing is prepared and ready to showcase our mission and people alongside our Lackland mission partners," Hepburn said. "I'm confident our high-performing
team will knock the inspection out of the park."
802nd MSG Commander Col. Richard Houghton said the upcoming inspection was an opportunity for the group to examine how it supports JBSA-Lackland's mission partners.
"In some ways, when we deliver base support correctly, we're preparing for the inspection every day," Houghton said. "On the other hand, the inspectors will look deeper and broader at our activities with an objective eye.
"We've looked hard at how we're performing our daily mission," he said. "The benefit of that hard look is we identify areas where we can get better. Our expectation from the Compliance Inspection is a validation that we're accomplishing our mission, and that we're doing it smartly, efficiently and well."