Congrats Team McChord on acing NSI

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • 62nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Airmen who were evaluated during the Nuclear Surety Inspection here April 10 to 14 received a grade of "outstanding" in four of the five categories reviewed by Air Mobility Command's Inspector General team, while the other category received a grade of "excellent."

"I just want to thank everyone for their outstanding performance during the NSI," said Col. Jerry Martinez, 62nd Airlift Wing commander.

"This inspection truly was a team effort, and we showed the inspectors that no one can do this mission better than Team McChord."

That same sentiment was echoed by inspection team chief Col. Stan Dougherty during the inspection outbrief.

"[It was the] most "outstanding" ratings [I've] given to one unit in over two years as an inspection team chief," he said.

McChord's grade is a tell-tale sign that there is a strong focus base-wide on maintaining an excellent program, said nuclear surety manager Tom Thompson, 62nd AW.

"The day-to-day excellent work that the folks in each squadron do really showed up in the final grade," Mr. Thompson said.

The NSI evaluated and awarded grades in the categories of management and administration; tools,
test, tiedown and equipment; the personnel reliability program; logistics movement and safety.

The fact that each squadron effectively used existing lines of communication and worked together was also reflected in the final grade, Mr. Thompson said.

"They're all intertwined, and the result shows that each squadron put a significant amount of effort into their individual programs and also into working as a team," he said.

The ability for the entire base to come together and show its pride in the program was extremely impressive, said Lt. Col. James Clavenna, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander.

"I've never seen as many "outstanding" [grades] on an IG inspection," Colonel Clavenna said. "That doesn't happen unless everyone is on the same page and firing on all cylinders."

Airmen from the 4th Airlift Squadron really pulled together for the inspection, due to the fact some had to come home early from deployment to help prepare for the inspection, said O.J. Danielson, 4th AS.

"Those guys who stayed on the deployment had to pick up some of the slack to allow everybody else back here to prepare for the inspection," Mr. Danielson said.

Then it was just a matter of focusing on the details in order to fully prepare, he said.

"From leadership on down, the message that this is the base's only no-fail mission really shined through during this inspection," Mr. Danielson said.