The 86th Airlift Wing successfully completed a difficult Logistics Compliance Assessment Program inspection held at Ramstein from Oct. 31 through Nov. 4.
The inspection is used to test the knowledge and skills of Airmen in the 86th Logistics Readiness Group and 86th Maintenance Group.
“The LCAP is a grueling inspection and I couldn’t be prouder of our teams who earned two outstanding, five excellent and three high satisfactory unit ratings,” said Brig. Gen. C.K. Hyde, 86th AW commander. “The new grading process is very
difficult. Satisfactory ratings are the new norm and our units did extremely well — just missing an overall wing rating of excellent by .73 percent.”
After a recent change to AFI 20-111 LCAP, the baseline for rating, the inspection criteria has become more in depth and difficult. At 89.27 percent, the wing earned an overall rating of “satisfactory.”
The LCAP provided leadership with the evaluation of the units’ ability to perform key logistics processes in a safe, standardized, repeatable and technically compliant manner. The inspection is based on a graded assessment with percentage scores and uses a five-tier rating scale: outstanding, excellent, satisfactory, marginal and unsatisfactory. Each group was graded at squadron level; scores were then combined for an overall wing rating.
“The inspectors looked for things like technical procedures and how aircraft and vehicles are maintained,” said Lt. Col. Jeremy Eldred, 86th AW inspections and readiness chief. “In addition to the evaluation process, the LCAP inspectors evaluated quality assurance programs as well.”
The assessment teams were made up of 48 Airmen from Air Mobility Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
“Our Airmen are vital for mission success,” said Col. David Haase, 86th LRG commander. “The LCAP inspectors spent a week digging into hundreds of complex programs and processes; they simply validated what we already knew. I would say we have an experienced and competent logistics workforce that delivers mission capability in a precise, compliant and reliable manner each and every day.”
Unlike an Operational Readiness Inspection, Airmen evaluated were not placed in simulated scenarios.
“Members of both groups should be very proud of themselves,” said Lt. Col. Richard Gibbs, 86th MXG deputy commander. “They do this every day. We were participating in real-world operations while all of this was going on. I am very honored to work with the Airmen of the 86th MXG and the 86th LRS — it’s impressive, what they’ve done and continue to do.”
While the inspection created a larger workload for the Airmen, their attitudes about their work remained the same.
“I am proud of the positive attitude, enthusiasm and professionalism displayed by our Airmen,” said Hyde. “The teams (MXG/LRG) knocked it out of the park. Everyone pulled together and performed exceptionally. I appreciate everyone’s commitment to excellence.”
Unit Ratings
86th QA — Outstanding
86th AMXS — Satisfactory
86th MXS — Excellent
86th MOS — Excellent
Overall 86th MXG — Excellent
86th MMS — Satisfactory
86th MUNS — Outstanding
86th VRS — Excellent
86th LRS — Satisfactory
Overall 86th LRG — Excellent
86th Airlift Wing Overall — Satisfactory