Incirlik displays 'Excellence in All We Do' during inspection

by Staff Sgt. Eboni Reams
39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

5/6/2014 - INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The 39th Air Base Wing excelled and received the highest overall possible rating of 'Satisfactory' with 'Outstanding' and 'Excellent' ratings in multiple subcategories during a surety inspection May 5 here.

Inspections are in-depth examinations focusing on mission capabilities and proper execution. A visiting inspector general team assesses and monitors different graded exercises and scenarios throughout the wing.

Col. Craig Wills, 39 ABW commander, announced the surety inspection results during the outbrief to a full room of expectant Airmen from around the wing.

The wing received two United States Air Forces in Europe Inspector General awards, 16 superior performer awards and eight team awards.

"This was never about an inspection, or even about the 39th Air Base Wing," said Wills. "This was always about the American people, our mission, and meeting the very high standards of our United States Air Force. Once again we proved that Airmen make a difference. From Airmen with one stripe on their sleeve to Master Sergeants and Lieutenant Colonels, our Airmen stepped up to meet the mission. I'm incredibly proud of our team."

Chief Master Sergeant Anthony Johnson, 39th ABW command chief, shared the sentiment of being proud of the team and reminded everyone how important this accomplishment is. He also took time to thank those don't wear a uniform, but are still key to mission accomplishment.

"This is great news for our enterprise at a time when we can use good news" said Johnson. "What we have accomplished as a team is unprecedented. We could not have succeeded without our civilians, contractors, and most important, our family members. Everyone played an important part."

Johnson added that Air Force families are integral to the wing mission.

"Our families are the strength of our Air Force. There's no mission success without our families and loved ones, whether near or far away, who provide support and resilience for our Airmen."

While many of Team Incirlik stepped up and gave their all, one of 39th Security Forces Squadron Airman, recognized as a superior performer, expressed his pride in being a part of something greater than himself.

"Our squadron in particular went through many obstacles during the inspection and there's a point that people may have wanted to quit and give up, but we knew that wasn't an option," said Senior Airman Nekia Bruce, 39 SFS unit training instructor. "Knowing that we played a role in a top priority of the Department of Defense always amazes me and makes all our hard work worth it."