Assessors evaluate Scott environmental programs Published April 5, 2006 By Master Sgt Andrew Gates 375th Airlift Wing SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- A team of Air Force and civilian environmental experts reported their discoveries from a weeklong Environmental Compliance Assessment and Management Program visit at a standing room only outbrief at the 126th Air Refueling Wing multipurpose room Friday. Since the ECAMP is an assessment, the team didn’t present an overall rating for the base however, the team did identify strengths and challenges in the 15 areas they reviewed, said Lt. Col. Howard Jones III, team chief for the ECAMP. The team also highlights findings in five categories, based on the seriousness of the finding. During the assessment just completed, the team discovered 128 findings, as well as 24 areas where Scott people are exceeding environmental regulation requirements, said Colonel Jones. During the last assessment in 2003, Scott had more than 230 findings. “You gave us a hard scrub,” said Col. Fred Ryder, 375th Mission Support Group commander to the team. “We wouldn’t want it any other way. We have a team of three wings at Scott which does everything with the right attitude. The assessment we just underwent shows a lot of progress and attitude – which means we are headed in the right direction.” During the outbrief, which also covered an Occupational Safety and Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program, or OSHCAMP, visit for the 126th Air Refueling Wing, Colonel Jones continually stressed the care and emphasis base people place in ensuring the base meets mandated environmental requirements. “Scott is a beautiful base, and you have a lot of pride – it shows,” he said. “The whole team is doing well in supporting regulatory requirements. I can appreciate the long hours and hard work you have put in to prepare for this assessment.” Among the many areas Colonel Jones highlighted during the assessment outbrief was Scott’s pesticide program. “Scott is one of the leaders in the command in its pesticide program,” the colonel continued. “We have a top notch group of people dedicated to ensuring facilities are kept pest-free. Their proactive approach to pest management has spilled over into other agencies responsible for similar projects, such as the team at the golf course.” The colonel also spoke highly of the base’s continuing procedure to install equipment to manage backflow, or water flowing up pipe systems back toward the source. Scott has installed more than 976 devices to regulate backflow, in accordance with state and Federal requirements and has reached a 98.5 percent compliance rate. After Colonel Jones outbriefed the ECAMP, SMSgt Tony Perez, OSHCAMP team chief, briefed the 126th ARW’s assessment. He highlighted numerous health and safety issues in various arenas. The team’s main concern during the OSHCAMP was workplace safety and health, he said. He praised safety’s internal relationships as well as the team’s rapport with the 375th AW as host. He also said the flight safety program was “in excellent shape.” One common aspect between both the ECAMP and the OSHCAMP was the quality of people at Scott, said Colonel Jones. He highlighted six individuals and one team that impressed the assessors – people representative of the professionalism evident in the wing. “We’ve given you a lot of information,” the colonel said. “You do a lot of great work everyday – the team and I would like to thank you for being excellent hosts, and for giving us the opportunity to help you out.” Team members for the ECAMP and the OSHCAMP came from Air Mobility Command Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D. Travis AFB, Calif., and from environmental contractors. Outstanding performers for the base were: MSgt Michael Thornton, 126th Aircraft Generation Squadron TSgt Reiner Busch, 375th Civil Engineer Squadron SSgt Micah Good, 375th Logistics Readiness Squadron 126th Air Refueling Wing Fuels Flight Laura Dods, 375th CES Ronald Jansen, 375th CES Allen Siegel, 375th Services Squadron