AFMC Inspectors deem Team Hanscom 'Excellent' -- Hundreds pack Minuteman Club to hear results of week-long inspection

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gilmartin
  • Electronic System Center Public Affairs
Hanscom AFB --  Months of hard work and preparation paid off as Team Hanscom earned an overall "Excellent" rating during the Air Force Materiel Command Operational Readiness Inspection and Targeted Compliance Inspection.

More than 70 inspectors, led by AFMC Inspector General Col. Joan Cunningham, conducted numerous ORI scenarios that tested Electronic Systems Center's wartime materiel support and the base's initial response, emergency management and force protection capabilities, as well as Hanscom's deployed operations readiness. Additionally, inspectors conducting the Targeted Compliance Inspection examined the base's compliance with a number of special interest items.

Colonel Cunningham announced the inspection results to ESC Commander Lt. Gen. Chuck Johnson and his senior staff early on June 18, and General Johnson passed on those results to an exuberant audience that packed the Minuteman Club June 18 during the ORI Outbrief and Celebration. Those that couldn't fit into the ballroom jammed other rooms in the club to watch the proceedings on closed circuit television.

Prior to General Johnson announcing the results, ESC Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Art Rooney roused the crowd, shouting "Were you ready for the IG? You're darn right you were ready! And, guess what? When you practice, it shows!"

Following an introduction by General Rooney, General Johnson praised the hard work and effort displayed by all throughout the week and in the months leading up to the ORI.

"You guys are awesome. I am incredibly impressed with your spirit," the general told the cheering audience.

The AFMC inspectors were impressed by the "incredible teamwork" they saw at Hanscom, he said.

"In all those scenarios they saw each and every one of us working together, helping each other out," General Johnson said. "When they see a large organization like this work that well together, they know this is one great team."

The general said the inspectors were also extremely impressed with the training and preparation displayed by Team Hanscom personnel.

"We wanted the IG team to challenge us, and they did," he said. "ORI teams don't come in here as milk-toast. They kept pushing us and pushing us and stretching us out there on the edge....and boy, did you hit home runs -- lots of home runs."

Following General Johnson's remarks, Col. Tom Schluckebier took the stage to announce the results of the TCI and ESC Integrated Operations, which included initial response, force protection, deployed operations, emergency management and contracting.

"It's been quite a journey for all of us, and I've never felt closer to you," the colonel said. "It's one team, one fight. I'd be proud to go to war with you tonight."

Areas were graded by the IG team at one of five levels: Outstanding, Excellent, Satisfactory, Marginal and Unsatisfactory. Satisfactory indicates a unit is in complete compliance.

In the area of "ESC Integrated Operations," Team Hanscom earned an Excellent, and for the TCI, the base earned a Satisfactory, Colonel Schluckebier reported.

ESC's Executive Director Fran Duntz took the stage next, announcing the ratings for Wartime Materiel Support. The 551st Electronic Systems Wing, which handled two WMS taskings, and the 350th Electronic Systems Wing, which had one WMS tasking, both earned Outstanding ratings, while the 653rd Electronic Systems Wing, with two WMS taskings, and the 554th Electronic Systems Wing, with one WMS tasking, both earned Excellent ratings.

The AFMC IG recognized 28 Team Hanscom members as "Outstanding Performers," as well as six "Outstanding Teams," based on their performance throughout the week. Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Sirois, 66th ABW Command Chief, announced the names of each Outstanding Performer and Team lead, calling them to the stage where they received congratulations and a coin from General Johnson, Mrs. Duntz and General Rooney.

"Congratulations. I can't say enough about the hard work -- the blood sweat and tears -- that went into the ORI," General Johnson said in his closing remarks. Then, saying he wanted to do something special for the occasion, the general led the more than 500 people present in the Airman's Creed:

I Am An American Airman.
I Am A Warrior.
I Have Answered My Nation's Call.
I Am An American Airman.
My Mission Is To Fly, Fight, And Win.
I Am Faithful To A Proud Heritage,
A Tradition Of Honor,
And A Legacy Of Valor.
I Am An American Airman,
Guardian Of Freedom And Justice,
My Nation's Sword And Shield,
Its Sentry And Avenger.
I Defend My Country With My Life.
I Am An American Airman:
Wingman, Leader, Warrior.
I Will Never Leave An Airman Behind,
I Will Never Falter,
And I Will Not Fail.