MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Team McConnell is the best in Air Mobility Command when it comes to aircrew training support, training, and standardization and evaluation programs. 

This became official after an inspection team from Headquarters, Air Mobility Command, visited McConnell to conduct the Aircrew Standardization/Evaluation visit Sept. 18-29. This evaluation was a comprehensive inspection of aircrew training support, training and standardization and evaluation programs at group and squadron levels.
"I've been doing this for three years, and these are the best results I've seen to date," said Col. Joseph Rohret, inspection team chief. "Team McConnell is clicking on all cylinders ... this was a phenomenal performance! 

"The bar has been raised extremely high for the units who will be inspected down the line." 

Areas specifically inspected and graded were aircrew standardization/evaluation, training, host aviation resource management, squadron aviation resource management and aircrew performance. 

The overall grade was "mission ready." Of the three graded areas, Team McConnell scored an "outstanding" for Aircrew Performance, an "excellent" for standardization/evaluation, and a "satisfactory" for training. Of the 21 sub-categories, 

McConnell recorded four outstanding ratings and 14 excellent ratings. 

"You absolutely wowed the inspection team with your presentation, dedication, attitudes and approach to how you do your job," said Col. Donald J. Halpin, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander, addressing those in attendance at the ASEV out brief. "You can't fake those scores, and you can't fix scores by working for a few weeks or a few months - those scores are the direct result of what you do, day in and day out, to get the job done, and get it done right. 

"You are the best in the command." 

A large part of achieving "best in the command" status came from aircrew performance, which was inspected through Federal Aviation Administration-style flight evaluations, ground evaluations of special interest scenarios, and aircrew testing. During this inspection, 84 crew members received flight evaluations with none graded "less than qualified"- while eight scored exceptionally qualified. 

Another large contributor to "best in the command" status came by way of the programs deemed as outstanding by the inspectors: host aviation resource management and squadron aviation resource management. 

The HARM team consisted of Senior Master Sgt. Michael Hobbs, Master Sgt. Deanna Bloomquist, Tech. Sgt. Cynthia Franklin, Senior Airman Nicky Duplisis, Senior Airman Chrystal Russ and Airman 1st Class Vincente Gonzalez - all from the 22nd Operations Support Squadron. 

Those who were behind the outstanding score for SARM included Master Sgt. Kirk Westmoreland, Staff Sgt. Shaneeka Jones and Senior Airman April Derrick, all from the 384th Air Refueling Squadron. 

Additionally, all aircrew scenario interviews were graded "Excellent." Nearly 170 aircrew members were administered a comprehensive, 40-question test based upon all applicable technical orders and Air Force instructions for aircraft operation according to Maj. Paul Powell, 22nd Operations Group and the wing point of contact for ASEV preparation. "22nd ARW crews performed admirably, with an astounding average test score of 99.14 percent," said Major Powell, who noted that because the 22nd Air Refueling Wing is the largest tanker operation in AMC, inspectors were required to make multiple visits over the past six weeks to administer nearly 35 percent of the crew force flight evaluations. The past two weeks focused on the programs and testing," Major Powell said. 

Major Powell also described the intense preparations leading up to the past two weeks.
"The process to prepare for this inspection began more than eight months ago," Major Powell said. "It began with extensive self-inspections of group programs followed by staff-assistance visits to all squadrons to assess the health of the program.
"Over the next months, programs were re-written to ensure not only compliance, but also to develop the best trained, most professional aircrews in AMC to fight the Global War on Terror." 

Major Powell said the long hours were well worth the end result.
"We had an outstanding team to prepare the group for this inspection, and the outcome has exceeded everyone's expectations."  

Col. Raymond LaMarche, 22nd OG commander, applauded the work of his ASEV team, including the aforementioned individuals, and thanked Team McConnell for its support in helping to achieve such incredible results. 

"A Herculean amount of preparation went into our success, and, thanks to the yeoman's effort of countless Team McConnell individuals, we reaped tremendous rewards and accolades from the AMC inspectors," Colonel LaMarche said. "To many outside the 22nd Operations and the 931st Air Refueling Groups, these evaluations were transparent. However, the success of these evaluations and inspections was directly dependent on the support of all McConnell agencies; from the maintainers to the bus drivers, dining facility personnel to the fuel truck operators, communications troops to security forces, medical to civil engineering ... the list goes on and on," Colonel LaMarche said. "It took a tremendous team effort to achieve this incredible success."
Colonel Halpin couldn't agree more. 

"It's not easy to pass this kind of inspection in the high operational tempo world we live in today - you don't have time to make the preparation your primary focus," Colonel Halpin said. "Competing interests like Eagle Flag, the Airlift Tanker Association visit, an Open House and so many more significant events, take away from allowing you to focus on one thing, like ASEV preparation." 

Though the AMC inspections concentrated on the 22nd OG, the successes achieved were not possible without the efforts of untold Team McConnell Airmen and civilians. Their "behind-the-scenes" actions not only provided the needed support necessary for the OG team to be successful, but also made a tremendous impression on the AMC inspectors. All three team chief inspectors cited the wing's ability to focus and work together to accomplish the mission. 

The ASEV is the last of three inspections AMC has accomplished over the past two weeks - to include the Weather Standardization and Evaluation Program and the Air Traffic System Evaluation Program inspections. 

The inspectors closely scrutinized all programs and stated the scores were not only top-notch, but many were the best they had ever seen.