Keesler continues excellence

Members of the 81st Training Wing cheer after finding out the wing received an Excellent rating during the consolidated unit inspection out brief Nov. 5, 2012, at the Welch Theater, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The CUI was held from Oct. 29-Nov. 2, and evaluated the base’s level of compliance with Air Force and Department of Defense guidelines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Keesler continues excellence

Brig. Gen. Brad Spacy, 81st Training Wing commander; Col. Rene Romero, 81st TRW vice commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Angelica Johnson, 81st TRW command chief, are pleased with the Excellent rating the base received during the consolidated unit inspection out brief Nov. 5, 2012, at the Welch Theater, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The CUI was held from Oct. 29-Nov. 2, and evaluated the base’s level of compliance with Air Force and Department of Defense guidelines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Keesler continues excellence

Brig. Gen. Brad Spacy, 81st Training Wing commander, provides closing remarks to members of the 81st TRW on the Excellent rating the base received during the consolidated unit inspection out brief Nov. 5, 2012, at the Welch Theater, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. The CUI was held from Oct. 29-Nov. 2, and evaluated the base’s level of compliance with Air Force and Department of Defense guidelines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kemberly Groue)

Keesler celebrates 'EXCELLENT' CUI results

Published Nov. 8, 2012
By 81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- After months of diligent preparation, hundreds of Keesler Airmen cheered and one blue dragon danced, when they heard the 81st Training wing was deemed "EXCELLENT" after the Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 Air Education and Training Command Consolidated Unit Inspection.

"Congratulations to all the great Airmen here on Keesler who worked so hard getting ready for the 2012 CUI -- and thank-you for your EXCELLENT performance! I have always believed people like to work and they like to work hard as long as that work is challenging, interesting and you recognize them for it. The men and women at Keesler have been proving this too me every single day since I arrived and this EXCELLENT rating only further demonstrates their dedication," said Brig. Gen. Brad Spacy, 81st Training Wing Commander. "I also believe in continuous improvement which means that even though we're already EXCELLENT, we can't stop here -- I know you all are really OUTSTANDING!"

Each unit had the potential to be rated either "unsatisfactory," "marginal," "satisfactory," "excellent," or "outstanding,"

Every group in the 81st TRW including the commanders items, 81st Training Group, 81st Mission Support Group and 81st Medical Group received an "EXCELLENT."

According to the IG definition, an "EXCELLENT" rating indicates that a performance or operation exceeds mission requirements, procedures and activities are carried out in a superior manner and resources and programs are very efficiently managed and relatively free of deficiencies.

Keesler also received an "EXCELLENT" on its response to an Oct. 31 major accident response exercise in which base members came together to respond to a simulated hazardous material scenario.

Before reviewing the group results at the outbrief, one team and several individuals were recognized for their contribution to the inspection and the wing.

The team chosen for recognition by the inspector general was the 2012 CUI readiness team.

Lt. Col. Jonathon Wright, Senior Master Sgt. Jason Hanley, 1st Lt. Johnny Smith, 2nd Lt. Curan Clonch and Mr. Charles Spase, were each presented with an Air Force Achievement Medal by Spacy for helping prepare Keesler for the CUI.

"I have been at Keesler for more than two years now, and I can see that Keesler is awesome. It's my favorite assignment of the 10 that I've had. People here go above and beyond in so many areas all the time," Wright said. "Therefore, it was an honor to lead the CUI readiness team. Our role was to help bring to light the exceptional things that every unit across the base has been doing. We are thrilled to see units get the recognition that they deserve."

The IG team chose what they believe to be the top five percent of Keesler members and named them "Professional performers," they also chose five individuals to receive the AETC Inspector General coin.

They are: Airman 1st Class Blakeny Pittman, 81st Contracting Squadron; Tech. Sgt. Caroline Bunce, 81st Dental Squadron, 1st Lt. Kenneth Hawkins, 81st CONS; Robert Tash, 81st Medical Support Squadron; and Thane Halsey, installation exercise evaluation team chief.