Keesler 'excellent' Published Aug. 28, 2007 By By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Welch Auditorium erupted with cheers, clapping, sirens and high-fives Aug-28 as Keesler reacted to its "excellent" operational readiness inspection rating. "Dragons, you've proved it to the world -- excellence is your trademark," said a jubilant Brig. Gen. Paul Capasso, 81st Training Wing commander. "You've done it again -- you came through with flying colors." Across the board, overall "excellent" ratings were earned by the 81st Training, Mission Support and Medical Groups. Commander's items were rated excellent, and wing staff agencies met or exceeded all requirements. The wing received "excellent" ratings for its deployment of 129 personnel to demonstrate their combat skills, as well as several local security exercises. The base's major accident response exercise was rated "satisfactory." Col. Carlton Eberhart II, Air Education and Training Command inspector general, said it was obvious Keesler was "getting up, moving on and getting the job done" just two years after Hurricane Katrina pounded the base. "A lot of people talked about Hurricane Katrina, but it was evident throughout the inspection process that people didn't hang on to that disaster as an excuse," the colonel observed. "The biggest compliment I got from the IG was that despite Katrina, there were no excuses," General Capasso pointed out. "You showed them how hard you worked. You didn't say, 'Oh woe is me -- Katrina was here.' You got the job done." The general assured the audience Keesler wasn't given special treatment because of the hurricane's impact on the base. "We were subjected to the same standards as every other base -- no deal was cut," he said. All seven squadrons in the 81st TRG received "excellent" ratings. The 81st Services Division led the way for the 81st MSG with an "outstanding" rating. The 81st Mission Support, Civil Engineer, Transportation and Contracting Squadrons were "excellent," and the 81st Security Forces, Communications and Supply Squadrons earned "satisfactory" marks. The one rating received by the 81st MDG for medical readiness was "excellent." Of the 91 people who earned "by name" recognition from the AETC inspectors, five outstanding performers were presented with command IG coins -- Ruthie Atchley, 81st CS; Airman 1st Class Michael Freed, 81st TRANS; Staff Sgt. Shawna Blankinchip, command post; Master Sgt. Brad Belford, 81st CES, and Capt. Anthony Phillips, legal office. Also on hand for the outbrief was Maj. Gen. Michael Gould, 2nd Air Force commander, who thanked the IG team for "helping the 81st Training Wing continue to improve every day. "This was unlike any ORI I've ever seen -- you've come back from adversity and proven that you're champions," General Gould re-marked. "It's an unbelievable accomplishment. "Now that the inspection is over, give thanks that you're able to serve," he reminded the audience. "Spend some special time with your family, and take good care of yourself." "We're not going to rest on our laurels -- we still have work to do," General Capasso insisted. "Next week is a new week, with new opportunities for all of us. We're going to keep on pushing ahead."