Upcoming inspection provides opportunity to highlight Hanscom

  • Published
  • By Patty Welsh
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  The Air Force has recently changed its inspection process and, as part of that process, Hanscom is undergoing a Unit Effectiveness Inspection, or UEI, which will culminate with a capstone inspection on-site May 12 to 22.

According to Lt. Col. James Lee, Hanscom inspector general, the UEI expands beyond traditional compliance to see how effective an organization is in preparing for and accomplishing its mission.

"With the change to the Commander Inspection's Program, we have shifted our inspection focus to align with commander's priorities and the four major graded areas that we will be inspected on:  executing the mission, managing resources, improving the unit and leading people," he said. "The UEI is our chance to showcase the outstanding work we do and to emphasize our innovative processes."

There are multiple parts to the UEI.  First is a virtual evaluation, which for Hanscom has already begun. This is where inspectors from higher headquarters review information entered into the Management Internal Control Toolset, or MICT, from responses to checklists or communicators, the artifacts that back that information up, along with corrective/preventive action plans. They will also look at documentation in other systems where Hanscom personnel have entered input. Inspectors began reviewing this information March 13.

In addition, there is a pre-inspection survey that Lee says helps inspectors get an understanding of what is working well and where there might be potential issues prior to their visit. The survey is open now and employees should have received the direct link from their senior leaders. For those who did not receive directly, the survey is available at https://www.research.net/r/AFLCMCHANSCOM until April 14. As the survey also has a portion for spouses, employees can send the link home as well.

Senior leaders encourage everyone to take the survey. It takes about 20 minutes and responses are confidential.

"Whether we're managing a highly complex weapon system, tracking and allocating precious resources, maintaining critical infrastructure or providing any of a myriad of other critical support services, each of us is playing a crucial role in helping the Air Force accomplish vital missions," said Col. Michael A. Vogel, base commander. "This is our opportunity to demonstrate that."

During the capstone inspection in May, the members of the inspection team will be at Hanscom for their capstone event, evaluating the organization. In addition to traditional inspection events, such as viewing a base exercise, Lee said the team will seek out personnel to inquire directly about various subjects and there will be both voluntary and mandatory interviews.

"Be honest," he said, "but also know where your organization's strengths and weaknesses are. We do a lot of good things here at Hanscom to support the warfighter and this is your chance to highlight your work."

Vogel echoed Lee's sentiments about emphasizing the importance of the work done here at Hanscom.

"Each of you has earned the right to be proud of what you do, how you do it and who you do it with and for," he said. "When inspectors ask, let them know how proud you are and tell them why."