ATSEP to inspect several units on base

  • Published
  • By Tyler Hemstreet
  • Staff writer
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  All the preparation and work that went into getting ready for the Unit Compliance Inspection that finished up two weeks ago is now just a mere memory for most units on base. 

But inspection preparation work continues for the Airmen and civilians in the 62nd Operations Support Squadron, 62nd Communications Squadron and the 62nd Civil Engineer Squadron, as a 12-member inspection team from Air Mobility Command arrives Monday to inspect several sections within each of the squadrons as part of the Air Traffic System Evaluation Program. 

"We've not only been preparing for the UCI during the past four to five months, but we've also been preparing for the ATSEP," said Capt. Steve Mullins, airfield operations flight commander with the 62nd OSS. 

The inspection team will be checking several sections involved with air traffic control, such as navigation and radio maintenance, pavement reliability, airfield lighting, air traffic control services, airfield management operations and the wing safety office. 

The inspection is wide-ranging because all of the units work together on a daily basis to coordinate air traffic and keep the control tower operating at a high level, said chief tower controller Master Sgt. Steven Mann, 62nd OSS. 

"We have a good working relationship with the other squadrons," Sergeant Mann said.
Inspectors will check to make sure Airmen and civilians are adhering to nearly 700 checklist items and ensuring the airfield environment is compliant with all Federal Aviation Administration guidelines, Captain Mullins said. 

Despite having nearly 10 percent of the airfield operations flight's Airmen deployed at all times, the flight does a solid job of supporting the mission, Sergeant Mann said. 

"The civilians here really help with the continuity," he said. "We have a lot of guys with years of experience in air traffic control." 

There is a great amount of confidence within the airfield operations flight that everyone will shine during the ATSEP, due to the fact the flight made some minor tweaks after the last evaluation in 2006, Sergeant Mann said. 

"The things they identified were fairly easy fixes and they've approved all of our write-ups since we made the changes," he said. Nevertheless, the bar is set very high and Captain Mullins is confident Team McChord can achieve greatness. 

"In 2006 the wing got a 95 percent compliance index rating on the ATSEP," he said. "Our goal this year is to exceed that rating."