LSET inspectors evaluate OC-ALC

Published Jan. 31, 2008
By Brandice J. Armstron
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- The inspection is underway.
   A 64-person Air Force Materiel Command Logistics Standardization and Evaluations Team is examining maintenance, logistics and supply chain management performance, policies and procedures at the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center. Inspections began Jan. 28 and will conclude Feb. 8.
   "We have a chance to show just how good we are," Maj. Gen. Loren Reno, OC-ALC commander wrote in a recent commander's log. "During the next two weeks there will be close to 70 inspectors in the OC-ALC to evaluate our logistics compliance everywhere, from the shop floors to the office cubicles."
   The inspection team is composed of subject matter experts from eight different commands and is visiting four wings - the 76th Maintenance Wing, 72nd Air Base Wing, 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing and 448th Combat Sustainment Wing. They are focusing on checklist compliance, quality verification, quality assurance programs and personal evaluations. They are also looking to ensure employees follow safety practices such as clearing foreign object debris and wearing personal protective equipment.
   The inspectors' criteria and checklists are driven by Air Force, AFMC and Department of Defense instructions. Senior leadership also gives direction for focus areas, said Col. Peter Robichaux, LSET team chief from AFMC Headquarters at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
   "The LSET inspection process ensures units comply with published policy," Colonel Robichaux said. "It lets all levels of employees, supervisors and commanders know how well they're doing.
   "The inspectors clarify policy and procedures for the employees, which promotes a safer and more productive work environment," the colonel said. "We also identify insufficient and confusing guidance, tasking the owning organizations, including higher headquarters, to correct it."
   LSET evaluators also acknowledge personnel for positive accomplishments.
   "We are proud to recognize superior performers and teams to highlight the hard work they do in support of the warfighter," the colonel said.
LSET evaluators visit Tinker every 18 to 24 months, and the LSET team provides 120-day advance notice to the base.
   Before the team leaves Feb. 8, LSET officials will out-brief General Reno of their findings. The out-brief is followed by the official report approximately two weeks after the inspection ends, and the results are provided to AFMC commander Gen. Bruce Carlson.
   When officials draft a final report, Tinker will be graded using one of five terms - outstanding, excellent, satisfactory, marginal and unsatisfactory. In 2004, the OC-ALC received an excellent rating. In 2005, the center received a satisfactory score.
   "Ultimately, the evaluation is about more than the score received," said Colonel Robichaux. "The evaluation, like Air Force governance, is not meant to confine units, but promote a safe and productive work environment, while encouraging continuous improvements."