Air Force IG visits Incirlik AB, empowers Airmen through new inspection system

by By 1st Lt. David Liapis
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

11/15/2013 - INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey  -- Members of the Air Force Inspector General team arrived here late Nov. 14, but not with the intention of performing what is typically their primary function - inspecting Air Force bases and operations.

One reason this was an atypical visit was that the IG team members weren't just any inspectors - they were Lt. Gen. Stephen P. Mueller, Inspector General of the Air Force, and Chief Master Sgt. Charles Burgess, IG senior enlisted leader - and the purpose of their visit was to explain the concept behind the new Air Force inspection system, validate its implementation and meet Airmen.

"I'm not here to see buildings," said Mueller. "I'm here to see Airmen, to talk with them and find out what's on their minds."

While visiting Airmen and recognizing some exceptional performers was a top priority, the IG team did not shy away from discussing the recent changes to the inspection system and sharing insights on the reasons for the changes during various meetings with commanders, Airmen and an interview team from American Forces Network-Incirlik.
"When Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Spencer rolled out the 'Every Dollar Counts' initiative, the team was flooded with over ten thousand ideas from junior Airmen on ways the Air Force can do things better and save money," said Mueller. "There were so many ideas coming in such a short amount of time that they had to shut the program down!"

Mueller went on to explain that he sees this as indicative of a culture in which the voices and ideas of junior Airmen are not being heard. Part of the reason, he said, is that supervisors are afraid to let their voices be heard because of the implication that there's something wrong within their unit - and that needs to change.

"It's a culture change," explained Mueller. "It's about letting Airmen tell their supervisors there's a problem. The old inspection system taught Airmen to hide problems. The truth is, identifying deficiencies is a good thing."

Col. Craig Wills, 39th Air Base Wing commander, agrees and encouraged group and squadron commanders in a recent staff meeting to foster an environment where Airmen are "not afraid to speak truth to power."

The new inspection system, conceptualized by Mueller, is dependent on a culture wherein Airmen are empowered and encouraged to identify deficiencies. These deficiencies can then be corrected, and the organization made better. That, he said, is how a wing will do well during a Unit Effectiveness Inspection.

"Know your job and do your job. Then, you're inspection ready," said the IG. "By trying to cover stuff up, or not looking, is how you fail a UEI."

The IG team wrapped up their time at Incirlik AB with an all call where Airmen from units all over Incirlik were able to hear the vision for the future of the Air Force and the inspection system.