JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
There's a "buzz" among the logisticians here at Charleston. We have prepared ... made sure the T's were crossed and I's dotted and then prepared some more. Prepare for what, you may ask. Three wings, three groups and 13 squadrons have honed their skills and have made themselves ready to display those skills to the inspection team. The Air Mobility Command Logistics Compliance Assessment Program inspection team is here, and we welcome them to take a good look at us.
This article comes from a senior enlisted leader's perspective, one who has been around for a while and has seen our Air Force go through many changes. What hasn't changed is our ability to accomplish the mission and the mission we've been given is vitally important to us, our fellow Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, our nation and many other nations around the world. We know that our Airmen are the best at what they do, but how can our senior AMC and Air Force leaders know we're performing the mission safely and by-the-book? This is where the LCAP inspection comes into to play. Currently, we have a team of approximately 52 logistics experts from the AMC staff and other bases across the command visiting Joint Base Charleston-Air Base through Feb. 11. Their purpose is to evaluate how we perform our mission. They've come to make sure we're taking care of the nation's business in a safe, standardized, repeatable and technically compliant manner.
Now that you know what an LCAP inspection is, why is it important? Not only is the inspection itself important, but it's extremely important that we do well. The inspection is important because our mission is important. Maintaining and loading our C-17s and other transient aircraft, along with supplying the war-fighter is what we do every day, but if we're not careful we can become lackadaisical. No matter what part of this logistics machine we're in, we can't allow our duties to become so routine that we find ourselves on cruise control ... that's when accidents happen. Inspections like this are needed to make sure we're performing within standards and we're not just going through the motions.
If you're an Airman in the Maintenance Group or LRS, you may be asking yourself why it is so important to do well on this inspection. Chief Master Sgt. Paul Baczewski, the 628 LRS superintendent, said, "This inspection will validate the fact that we provide the best logistical support to the 628th Air Base Wing and 437th Airlift Wing. It proves that no one works harder to help Air Mobility Command meet its mission of global reach. It also validates all the individual and unit awards that we have won during the last two years."
Chief Master Sgt. Tim Pratt, 437th Aerial Port Squadron superintendent said, "APS `Port Dawgs' are an extremely proud group of Airmen and civilians. We take pride in being the hardest working air and surface transportation specialists at home and at deployed locations around the world. Doing well on an LCAP inspection proves to our new Group, Wing, Numbered Air Force and AMC leaders that we know our business and do it extremely well. It proves that it's not a fluke when the United States Transportation Command relies on us to figure out how to move equipment never before airlifted. It proves we can handle aggregate passenger missions with superb customer service and professionalism. It proves our folks will bend over backwards booking airlift to expedite passengers to their final destination or assist families in getting their household goods delivered on time. Knocking this LCAP out of the park will also prove we truly are the best darn aerial port in the land.
All and all, we're ready and we're eager for this chance to prove it.