Beale AFB Calif. –
Air Force Reservists constantly train to be mission ready and comply with directives while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to changing mission requirements.
After a restructuring within Air Force Reserve Command in July 2012, this responsibility was moved to the wing level with the creation of the Combat Readiness Office.
"Historically an operational readiness inspection is a major wing event where we are graded on our ability to deploy, sustain and employ our forces under conditions including chemical, biological, or radiological attack," said Major Ryan Evans, the new Combat Readiness Officer for the 940th Wing, Beale Air Force Base, California.
"But now there is an emphasis that inspections should not be held to measure if a unit can prepare for an inspection, but rather that a unit's readiness compliance is helping them be more effective at their mission," said Evans.
In the past, ORIs and Unit Compliance Inspections were used to measure a wing's ability to adhere to Air Force Instructions and perform their mission in a deployed environment. Following the restructuring, and new way of thinking regarding inspections, a combination of the two inspections will be known as Consolidated Unit Inspections (CUIs).
"Our readiness inspection, a CUI Phase 1 and 2, will be held jointly with the 9th Reconnaissance Wing here at Beale in Oct 2013. This is the first time we have had a simultaneous inspection," said Evans. "There are new challenges as both wings learn to integrate preparation efforts but ultimately we are laying a foundation for future success together."
Evans' office creates a Readiness Training Plan and a Compliance Preparation Plan, each designed to prepare the wing for a particular inspection. The focus is on designating two primary inspection weeks (readiness, compliance) to consolidate many of the inspections that used to appear on wing's calendars throughout the years.
The office also manages the Exercise Evaluation Team (EET), a group of senior, experienced wing personnel who grade performance during exercises to gauge our level of preparedness for inspections.
"It takes far more than an individual to accomplish this job," said Evans. "While the office is responsible for inspection preparation, the expertise, vision and hard work come from throughout the wing from our many incredible reservists and civilians."
Major Evans served on active duty as the flying certifications Standardization and Evaluation pilot for the 9 Operations Group/ Operations Group V at Beale.
"Having been here for several years, before becoming a Reservist, I was familiar with the great people and mission of the 940 WG and am very happy to now be a part of it!" said Evans.