McChord Reservists prove they can 'maintain' excellence

by Staff Sgt. Rachael Garneau
446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

11/16/2012 - MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. -- Team McChord was visited by a team of 27 inspectors from across the Air Force Oct. 13-20 as part of a Logistics Compliance Assessment Program inspection.

The LCAP team evaluated both the 446th and 62nd Airlift Wings' personnel on performing the maintenance and logistics missions in accordance with established Air Force and Air Mobility Command policy and directives. For the Reserve wing, the inspectors focused on the 446th Maintenance Group Quality Assurance Section, 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 446th Maintenance Squadron and 446th Maintenance Operations Squadron.

Typically, LCAP inspections are performed once every 18 months. However, this was the first time an AMC LCAP was performed at the same time as an Operational Readiness Inspection, a change that answered an issue raised after past inspections.

"In years past, wing commanders have voiced concerns that every time their wing finishes an inspection, they're starting a new one," said Chief Master Sgt. Dan Morris, the 446th Maintenance Group superintendent. "So, headquarters inspector generals said they'd start combining the different assessments so that when the inspectors come out, there's one inspection, but they could be looking at three different areas. In this case, it was the ORI and the LCAP."

In the last LCAP inspection almost two years ago, Team McChord was evaluated on more than a thousand items. This year, the inspectors assessed fewer functions to allow maintenance crews to focus on generating aircraft for the ORI.

The logistics functions of the 446th and 62nd Airlift Wings were reviewed and found to be fully capable of supporting the mission. The 446th MXG training programs were lauded by inspectors as well-managed and executed.

Both the 446th MXS and QA section excelled during the LCAP, despite this year's changes.

"Since there are a lot of diverse back shops within MXS, the inspectors were focused there since the flightline Airmen were busy the first few days with the ORI," said Morris. "They may have had more inspections than some of the sections in aircraft maintenance, giving them a greater chance at proving their excellence."

The LCAP team recognized two 446th AW Reservists as outstanding performers:

Tech. Sgt. Erik Hubbard, 446th Maintenance Squadron
Senior Airman Jerrod Pilant, 446th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron

Hubbard has been involved in two LCAP inspections before this year's and was evaluated in several different areas of his job as an aircraft fuel systems technician. He was recognized for his work with as a civilian with the 62nd MXS, but was also assessed in his role as a traditional Reservist with the 446th MXS.

"I was incredibly honored when I found out I was selected as an outstanding performer," said Hubbard. "It felt like all the work I did was rewarded justly."

For Pilant, the LCAP inspection was a learning experience. He had never been involved with one, but said it was not much different from a quality assurance evaluation.

"I really enjoyed the LCAP," said Pilant. "The inspectors were very pleasant during the process and their recognition is a great way for me to enhance my reputation in the wing."

Col. Alan Lerner, 446th MXG commander, said he was proud of both the 446th MXG air reserve technicians and the traditional Reservists who participated in the LCAP.

"We did not hide anybody during either inspection and even had some maintainers volunteer to be evaluated while performing their launch, recovery or maintenance duties," said Lerner. "We proved beyond any doubt that the LCAP inspection can be administered in conjunction with another major inspection and accomplished with successful results."