IG Capstone Inspection - Always speak the truth

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica H. Smith
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  It seems as though Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, is on a roll with exercises for the new year. Each of these exercises feed into the Commander's Inspection Program which has encouraged a new attitude to emerge. 

Col. David Iverson, 366th Fighter Wing commander, advocates openness and honesty for the upcoming Air Combat Command Inspector General Capstone unit effectiveness inspection scheduled to begin Feb. 23.

The inspection will evaluate unit plans, programs and the Management Internal Control Toolset. The purpose of the inspection is to see how effectively we self-regulate our shops.

Iverson explained, "The inspection system is all about getting ready to go to combat, and we need everybody to be ready."

Maj. Christopher Johnson, 366th Fighter Wing director of inspections, said they are really looking forward to having ACC look at our program.

"ACC is going to have inspectors here to help us validate our commander's inspection program," explained Johnson. "They're going to help us make sure we see all of the things that they see."

Iverson explained how important it is to let the inspectors hear from Airmen, saying it helps provide insight to where resources need to be focused in the future.

Airmen of all ranks can help by keeping two things in mind. First, be up front and honest about any issues; second, fix things at the lowest level possible.

"If it's something you can't fix at your level then channel it up to the appropriate authorities," said Johnson. "It's important that we don't try to hide any faults."

Iverson is also influencing Airmen to be straightforward, saying he wants to know what we can't do, what we're not resourced to do, and what we haven't been trained to do.

These inspections play an important role in keeping the base prepared for any situation and allow us to identify areas of improvement, which in turn allows us to function at our finest.

Johnson believes if the Air Force is focused on the mission instead of the inspection, Airmen of all ranks should do just fine during the inspection.

"In the future--tomorrow, next week, next year or five years from now with a completely different group of people--the Gunfighters will be called upon to go to combat and fight and win our Nation's wars; we have from now until that moment to get ready," said Iverson. "The inspection system helps us do this."