Our ‘ORI EXCELLENT’ Adventure! Published April 7, 2010 By Col. Gary Goldstone 375th Air Mobility Wing Commander SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Congratulations 375th Air Mobility Wing! As a wing commander who is tasked with ensuring we can deliver combat power for America, hearing the validation that we can indeed accomplish our mission in an "Excellent" manner is just fantastic! This past Friday, the Air Mobility Command Inspector General presented our scores for the Operational Readiness Inspection. The team evaluated us on our ability to Position the Force, Employ the Force, Sustain the Force, and the Ability to Survive and Operate. I am absolutely thrilled with our "EXCELLENT" results along with the tremendous number of "Outstanding Performers." The AMC IG specifically identified 22 individuals and 14 teams for their exceptional performance. Of special note were two Airmen from the 375th Civil Engineer Emergency Management team who played a pivotal role in effecting the outcome of critical portions of the inspection. Because of Senior Airman Jonathan Lach's and Airman 1st Class Christopher Braun's superb threat identification, analysis and recommendations, the wing responded appropriately to the most complex attack scenario the IG has seen in over four years! Airmen Lach and Braun put their training into action and "made the call" thereby mitigating "casualties" and allowing all personnel to remove gas masks two hours sooner than expected! These great Airmen directly impacted the entire wing by drastically increasing combat capability! I am so proud of these Airmen! It just goes to show the importance of each individual and the impact of playing our position! The AMC IG came to see us in action, and we didn't disappoint! We were ready. We were compliant... and we delivered combat capability! We made some tough calls along the way to get ready for this event; you all accepted responsibility and you made it happen. The IG also noted that the wing is "ready" thanks to our superior senior enlisted corps. The IG team chief, Col. Mark Schmitz, personally coined Chief Master Sgt. James Suttles, 375th AMW command chief, on behalf of the senior enlisted ranks. I know we can't go to war without their expertise and leadership, and that was as evident to our IG inspectors as it is to me. I want to thank another group of excellent teammates and that's our Company Grade Officer Council who volunteered to sponsor the wing-wide burger burn. Chaplain (Capt.) Thomas Fussell, CGOC president, and Capt. Kimbray McNeal were key to this effort, but they also had willing hands from the USO, Chiefs Group, Top 3, NCO Council, First 4, Chapel staff and commissary vendors. You all know how to throw a party, and we appreciate your efforts in helping us to celebrate our achievements. This has been an "EXCELLENT Adventure!" We couldn't have done it without the strong leadership of our commanders and frontline supervisors! I would also like to pay a special tribute to Col. Stephen Oliver, 375th AMW vice commander. He's been part of this wing family for almost two years and has been a true wingman. He leaves us for the sandy beaches and big surf of Hawaii to command the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing. His teamwork and attention to detail kept us all on point, and he has been a true friend. Our very best wishes to the Oliver family! As we say goodbye to Colonel Oliver, we welcome our new vice commander to the team, Col. Kevin Webb, who comes to us from just across the street--AMC headquarters. We're glad to have him on board and we look forward to getting to know Colonel Webb and his entire family. 375th AMW...we are the Showcase Wing because we Enable Combat Power! Our mission is vital! Our execution is precise, repeatable, and sustainable! Our dedication is intense! Thank you all for a tremendous effort!