226th Combat Communications Group first ANG unit to receive new AFSPC UEI

226th Combat Communications Group

4/21/2014 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- The 226th Combat Communications Group and the 232d Combat Communications Squadron were the first Air National Guard units in Air Force Space Command to be inspected under the Air Force Unit Effectiveness Inspection construct.

The 226th's recent inspection was part of a new Air Force Inspection System, which empowers commanders to inspect units, processes and personnel under their command and work toward continuous improvement. It also emphasizes the efficient use of resources and allows Airmen to focus on mission readiness.

"We were anxious to undergo this new process in order to learn from the experience and share it with our squadrons," said 226th Combat Communications Group Commander Col. Gary Kirk. "It was a great opportunity to experience a new system in order to share information across the combat communications community."

Under the new Air Force Inspection System, unit personnel continuously monitor and report their compliance via self-assessment checklists. Local Inspector General-led inspection teams validate and verify the responses to those checklists, and perform additional sampling to ensure the unit is always ready to execute its mission.

Simultaneously, the Major Command IG team regularly inspects various areas of the organization via virtual means, often without the unit even knowing they've been inspected. The 48-60 month inspection cycle for Air National Guard units then culminates with the MAJCOM IG team visiting the unit to verify and validate the unit commander's self-inspection program and publishing a report that gives the MAJCOM commander insight regarding the overall effectiveness of the organization and an assessment of the adequacy of the unit's inspection system.

This new inspection program is a change for all: commanders, staffs and unit-level Airmen. It represents a transformational shift in thinking about unit effectiveness and about the roles and responsibilities of commanders, inspectors and functionals.

"The new Air Force Inspection System gives commanders tools to evaluate their units and gauge the overall health. It drives us away from inspection preparation and more toward continuous improvement. As the old saying goes, it is easier to stay ready than to get ready", said Kirk.

Kirk said the 226th appreciated the AFSPC IG Team giving an in-depth look at unit's programs. The 226th and 232nd Combat Communications Squadron received an overall Effective rating with two of the four major graded areas receiving a Highly Effective rating, to include Highly Effective in Executing the Mission.