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NEWS | July 16, 2010

Joint efforts of 113, 316 WG recognized for excellence during inspection

By Chelsea Gitzen 316th Wing Public Affairs

"Effective communication, sense of urgency" and having "pride." These phrases aren't just written in Air Force handbooks and talked about at leadership schools, these are the words that were published about the joint evaluation of the 113th Wing and 316th Wing.

Members of the 113 WG underwent a regular inspection by the North American Aerospace Defense Command for their ability to secure the National Capital Region through their Air Sovereignty Alert force readiness mission last month. Since the unit is a tenant on the installation, a small team of four 316th Security Forces Squadron members provided security for the inspection, working together with the 113 WG SFS liaison.

"During an inspection of the 113 WG by NORAD, we provided support for security including entry control procedures," said Master Sgt. Clayton Klaver, 316 SFS NCO in charge of operations.

In addition to the report's high ratings, Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Johnson, 113 WG commander, added his own personal accolades, stating that the report included the "strongest words I've ever read in an inspection report."

The NORAD inspection team recognized the working relationship between both wings as exemplary, something that both units have been working to perfect.

"Our symbiotic relationship with the 113 WG was recognized as one of the best the inspectors had ever seen," said Sergeant Klaver. "Our partnership and records [continuity books] were also recognized as a benchmark for the rest of the Air Force."
Members of the 316 SFS team received more than just the 113 WG commander's accolades, they were permanently recorded as key players in the inspection.

"The Airmen and senior NCO involved did perfect," Sergeant Klaver said. "Both Airmen were recognized personally in the inspection team's report."

Both units are affected by the outcome - good or bad - they pass or fall short as a cohesive unit. To ensure that relationship is maintained, they communicate their needs and procedures.

"We fail, they fail and vice versa," Sergeant Klaver said. "We work great with them and are always staying in contact."

Part of this constant contact includes regularly maintaining readiness and preparing for inspections. In this case, the inspection was "no-notice" - given without notice of the date - making regular preparation vital.

"We've been working together preparing for this inspection for months," said Sergeant Klaver.

The mission of the installation's security forces is maintained for inspections, but also to meet a daily standard set by the Air Force.

"Every day we provide joint security for the aircraft of the 113 WG and all other units on base," Sergeant Klaver said. "It's part of our normal operations. We work jointly with the 113 WG security forces liaison, Tech. Sgt. Daniel Persico, to ensure that the unit and its aircraft are secure. We ensure they are following the proper procedures, and they ensure that we are doing the same."

This important inspection, held regularly since the unit gained its ASA mission after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, is nothing new to the 113 WG. Thanks to the unit's own excellence and that of the 316 SFS members who aided them, this past inspection's reports have reflected a perfected collaboration that will no doubt set the bar a bit higher for Airmen across the Air Force.

"This by far was our best inspection ever due to the team effort of all," Sergeant Persico said. "The report reflected this.