JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The 89th Airlift Wing Operations Readiness Inspection results are in! The SAM FOX team, in conjunction with support from the 316th Wing and 79th Medical Wing, met or exceeded all graded areas.
With an overall "excellent" rating, the wing only received minor findings in any of their programs, wing officials announced here
Nov. 6.
"It's truly amazing that we had no major or significant findings," said Col. Charles Spencer, 89th Airlift Wing vice commander. "That is virtually unheard of for inspections."
During the inspection, about 200 Airmen processed through a mobility line, and 20 flew to Alpena, Mich., where they battled rain, freezing temperatures and high winds.
The 89th Airmen deployed to Michigan with others from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., and Grand Forks AFB, N.D. While there, they were tested on their ability to survive and operate in a deployed environment.
"We brought our 'A-Game,' and everyone had a fantastic attitude. The weather was a perfect 'deployed environment,'" said Lt. Col. Tim Lee, 89th Aerial Port Squadron commander and the lead for the 89 AW team in Michigan. "It may have been bad, but the chem gear actually kept us warm and motivated. I think the inspection was actually harder on the inspectors than us because at least we were warm."
In true SAM FOX style, Team Andrews showed we can do the job right, Colonel Spencer said.
"We know that we didn't get there by ourselves," Colonel Spencer said. "The 316th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 79th Medical Wing were key players in getting us prepared and out the door. The inspectors even noted that we couldn't have done it without the level of cooperation we have with them."
Four people were recognized for exceptional performance during the inspection and acknowledged during the outbrief: Maj. Fidel Lepe, 1st Airlift Squadron; Maj. Carly Speranza, 89th Operations Group; and Tech. Sgts. Brian Rupp and Bob Weatherly, 89th Aerial Port Squadron.