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***image1***The Friday before the inspection, Col. Rob Burnett gathered the 86th Maintenance Group for a commander’s call.
“I have 650 assigned, and I have 650 miracles,” the commander told his group. “I know you’ll knock one out of the park.”
Col. Kyle Garland also pulled the 723rd Air Mobility Squadron together, “You are the best there is, it is now your time to shine.”
Both forecasts proved true when the Logistics Standardization Evaluation Teams and Maintenance Standardization and Evaluation Program team from Air Mobility Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe recently visited and respectively branded the 723rd AMS and 86th MXG with “excellent” ratings.
The 86th MXG had the highest percentage score of any unit in more than two years in USAFE, topping out at 92.93.
***image2***The LSET and MSEP evaluates and ensures key processes are standardized, repeatable and technically compliant by examining day-to-day activities.
Evaluators use standardized checklists to accomplish process observations, personal and equipment evaluations and personal task evaluations.
Over a five-day period, the 23-member team performed 531 personal evaluations for the 723rd AMS and 335 evaluations for the 86th MXG.
For the 723rd AMS, a squadron that averages 25 to 50 aircraft movements a day on a wide variety of airframes, it was an opportunity to showcase their ability to excel in mission accomplishment.
“What we do every day is dangerous – on and off-load cargo, and working on large aircraft; if we don’t do it right, somebody will get hurt,” said Col. Kyle Garland, 723rd AMS commander. “I’m very proud of our many young Airmen on the flight line, because AMC aircraft arrive here every day of the year, and every day, they’re out there, making the mission happen.”
The 86th MXG was recovering from a large turnover from the PCS season, steady-state deployments and the Operational Readiness Exercise when their evaluation team arrived.
***image3***“The 86th MXG showed their expertise under pressure and demonstrated the competency that makes them the 86th Airlift Wing the expeditionary wing of choice,” said Brig. Gen. Rich Johnston, KMC and 86th AW commander.
The commander also said as the wing, while working on aircraft often twice as old as the Airman maintaining it, provides crucial airlift to European Command, Central Command and Africa Command, reflecting the tremendous capability the wing brings to the fight.
“A lot of hard work went into this − Quality Assurance went out and looked at everything, dug in and found where we could improve, and the folks went out and correct them,” said Colonel Burnett. “The ‘excellent’ rating means we’re good − it validates the hard work and what we do every day. Maintainers never ceases to amaze me; no matter what they odds, they always come through.”
The evaluation summary was a list of accomplishments, punctuated with the use of “highly effective,” “motivated” and “fewest violations seen.”
“I am so proud of each Airman and civilian in the 86th AW and 723rd AMS,” said General Johnston. “They truly are the very best America has to offer.”
The accomplishment of the group was recognized across Ramstein.
“(I) could not be more proud to hear the great news on your LSET … please pass on a hearty congratulations to the men and women of the 86th,” Gen. Tom Hobbins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe commander wrote to General Johnston. “They make me proud every day, but it’s never taken for granted.”
“Congrats on the LSET,” Lt. Gen. Rod Bishop, 3rd Air Force commander, wrote. “Please pass to the team heartfelt thanks for all their work!”
