Keesler celebrates excellence Published Nov. 9, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Heather Holcomb 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Sirens, cheers, and air horns aren't usually the sounds associated with a briefing, but the Unit Compliance Inspection outbrief Nov. 2 was more of a celebration. Brig. Gen. Andrew Mueller, 81st Training Wing commander, said, "Two months ago I challenged each and every one of you to look each other in the eye and ask one question -- are you ready?" After months and months of preparation and a week of meticulous inspection, Keesler was deemed "excellent" by the visiting Air Education and Training Command Inspector General team. "Today we found out that each and every one of the members of our team was ready," said General Mueller. The UCI was broken down into six categories: commander's items, 81st Training Group, 81st Mission Support Group, 81st Medical Group, major accident response exercise and programs management. Each category could receive either "unsatisfactory," "marginal," "satisfactory," "excellent" or "outstanding" ratings. According to the IG team, the definitions for each rating are: Outstanding indicates performance or operation far exceeds mission requirements. Procedures and activities are carried out in a far superior manner. Resources and programs are very efficiently managed and are of exceptional merit. Minimal deficiencies exist. Excellent indicates performance or operation exceeds mission requirements. Procedures and activities are carried out in a superior manner. Resources and programs are very efficiently managed and relatively free of deficiencies. Satisfactory indicates performance or operation meets mission requirements. Procedures and activities are carried out in an effective and competent manner. Resources and programs are efficiently managed. Minor deficiencies may exist but do not impede or limit mission accomplishment. Marginal indicates performance or operation does not meet some mission requirements. Procedures and activities are not carried out in an efficient manner. Resources and programs are not efficiently managed. Deficiencies exist that impede or limit mission accomplishment. Unsatisfactory indicates performance or operation does not meet mission requirements. Procedures and activities are not carried out in an adequate manner. Resources and programs are not adequately managed. Significant deficiencies exist that preclude or seriously limit mission accomplishment. The commander's items received a "satisfactory" rating overall with the chaplain and equal opportunity programs receiving "outstanding" ratings. The 81st TRG received an "excellent" rating overall. The 338th Training Squadron's military training program receiving an "outstanding" rating. The 81st Mission Support Group received an "excellent" rating overall with the 81st Force Support Squadron receiving an "outstanding" in sustainment services and the 81st Security Forces Squadron receiving an "outstanding" in instillation security. The 81st Medical Group received a "satisfactory" rating overall. Oct. 26, the entire base came together during the major accident response exercise. In the scenario, an aircraft went off the runway into the Triangle training area and people all across the base had a part to play in responding to the incident. The base as a whole received a "satisfactory" rating on the MARE. The base also received a "satisfactory" rating in programs management. Four teams were recognized by the IG team for exceeding expectations. They are the modular control equipmenttrainer team, the food service quality assurance team, the integrated defense plan development team and the system administration team. Five individuals received Air Education and Training Command IG coins from the inspector general, Col. Mike Brown, for their superior performance during the UCI. They are Demetria Richard, 334th Training Squadron; Airman 1st Class Siera Wilson, 81st Training Group; Staff Sgt. Yolanda Jackson, 81st Security Forces Squadron; Master Sgt. Michael Freeck, 81st SFS; and Capt. Jennifer Mack, 335th TRS. After all the ratings were announced and the IG team departed, General Mueller acknowledged the efforts and hard work of the entire Keesler family and said, "We're going to sustain that excellent rating -- I promise you."