ExerciseO

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- An aircraft tow crew listens to safety official, Mark Erpelding, 22nd Air Refueling Wing, about important safety measures during the Nuclear Operation Readiness Inspection, on the flight line, May 29. The NORI was the first ever Operational Plan 8010 inspection in eight years, which validates a wing’s wartime readiness and preparation to conduct its mission. (Photo by Senior Airman Roy Lynch III)

ExerciseO

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- Colonel Michael Krueger, 22nd Air Refueling Wing vice commander, and Col. Stuart Shaw, 22nd Operations Group deputy commander, visit with Staff Sgt. Dearlyn Gary, 22nd Security Forces Squadron, on the flightline, during a Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection. Colonels Krueger and Shaw visited with many Airmen out on the line to ensure everyone was staying safe and to increase morale. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ronald Lafosse)

McConnell gets inspected

Published June 5, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Ronald Lafosse
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- On June 2, Team McConnell participated in the first Operational Plan 8010 inspection in at least eight years.

The intent of the OPLAN 8010 inspection is to validate the readiness and capability to accomplish a nuclear mission while complying with all applicable guidance of the wing.

"I am very proud of Team McConnell and the pride, passion, and professionalism displayed during the Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection, as the IG team chief remarked, the unit's generation of 11 aircraft was 'Eye-watering,'" said Col. James C. Vechery, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander.

"This team clearly demonstrated we are ready to conduct our nuclear support mission and there is no doubt in my mind we will demonstrate that same excellence when it comes to our expeditionary mission," said Colonel Vechery. "Having our total force partners alongside will only enhance our ability to win the fight."

"Integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do, pretty easy words to say, pretty hard to live up to," said Brig. Gen. Donald Lustig. "You all here at McConnell have shown us what 'excellence' really is."

Now is not a time to relax, with an Ability to Survive and Operate exercise coming up next week the wing needs to continue preparing.

"We keep pressing on. Remember, the reason we have inspections is to validate our war-time readiness, and our preparation to conduct our mission must not stop," said Colonel Vechery.