Outstanding: Congratulations on Excellent ORI performance

  • Published
  • By Col. Randal L. Bright
  • 512th AW commander
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  As I write this month's commentary, the Air Mobility Command Inspector General has just finished giving us their opinion of how they thought we did during our Operational Readiness Inspection. The AMC IG's opinion is that we were Excellent in our performance!

I congratulate you on that assessment; however, regardless of what score is reflected in the log book of the IG, in my book you were simply outstanding! I arrived on station just over a year ago and you took to heart my thoughts on Safety, Training, Attitude, Readiness and Standards by doing your part, taking charge, when in charge, and getting the job done. The only thing I ask is that you keep your finely-tuned readiness attitude, and we can do many great things in this wing.

Even though the ORI is behind us, the wing still has an action-packed schedule filled with everything from events to inspections.

One event that is important to our wing, command and our Air Force Heritage is our Air Force Ball Sept. 6. This Air Force Ball is significant as the theme is the 60th Anniversary of the Air Force Reserve.

President Truman signed the National Defense Act of 1947 designating the Air Force as a separate service on Sept. 18, 1947. However, because of funding issues, the Air Force Reserve did not come into its own until April 14, 1948. It's this heritage we celebrate this year and what better way to celebrate it than to have our new Commander, Air Force Reserve Command, and Chief of the Air Force Reserve, Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr. visit our wing and speak at the Air Force Ball. General Stenner took command and became the chief June 24 at our very own Air Force Memorial overlooking Arlington, the Pentagon and Washington D.C.

It's an honor and privilege to have General Stenner as a guest of the Liberty Wing this September UTA. So, I hope to see you at the Sheraton Hotel in Dover Sept. 6 at 5:30 p.m.
Coming in October, we welcome the 22nd Air Force Staff Assistance Visit Team to the Liberty Wing. They're here to assist us in our preparation for the Unit Compliance Inspection in April. Show them what you are doing well, show them what you are doing okay on, and definitely show them the areas you need help with. Having just come off an intensive ORI preparation, I understand that many of you may not be ready for the SAV team, but this is when they will be here. We have some work to do to get ready for the UCI, but with this wing, I'm not worried. Put forth your best and strive to do the right thing every time, and all we will have to do before the UCI is just put on the finishing touches.

Before we get to the UCI, we have a few other important upcoming events. This November, in conjunction with the Human Resources Development Council, we will be bringing to our Airmen, Airmen's Weekend. The HRDC has several great guest speakers lined up, and this will be a great event for our Airmen. Also during the November Unit Training Assembly, the wing is hosting Employer Appreciation Day. If you have not done so yet, I encourage you to invite your employer to this event so you can show them what you do when you are away from your primary place of employment.

As you very well know, this has been a busy year; but, it's not over. I encourage you to stay engaged and keep on top of your readiness and compliance. Before you know it, the holidays will be here and 2009 will arrive bringing with it its own challenges.

As always, I am proud to be your commander and congratulations on an outstanding Excellent grade on the ORI. It is a well deserved grade.