Busy first week Published Aug. 28, 2008 By Col. Gary Goldstone 375th Airlift Wing commander SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Wow! Talk about hitting the ground running. My first week as the wing commander, I felt like Usain Bolt speeding around the Olympic race track. The first five days were a flash of lightning. Unit Compliance Inspection The week began with a wing Unit Compliance Inspection focusing on the 375th Communications Group and its important mission of supporting warfighters through the integration, connection and execution of key command, control, communications and computer systems. In the mobility world, nothing happens until we move it. Communicators go one step further and say without them there is no mission. And they're right. Every mission the military conducts stateside and abroad is dependent upon the warfighter's ability to communicate. Aircraft can't land, bombs can't hit targets, supplies can't be replenished and servicemembers can't operate without communication tools, whether its satellites, radios or computers. UCIs ensure the mission is achieved properly and safely. They are more than open-book tests. They validate our precision and reliability. UCIs are invaluable cross checks to verify regulations and instructions are followed. These publications are not suggestions for how to do business but set forth the rules of engagement, the standards of conduct. You could even say that UCIs validate our compliance with the "basics." I am happy to report last week's limited wing UCI found the 375th Communications Group is not only meeting these standards but exceeding them. The tremendous efforts garnered a rating of EXCELLENT! Kudos to everyone in the 375th Communications Group for a job well done! MatchUp Who doesn't love a great deal? Air Mobility Command's MatchUp program is far beyond a great deal. It gives the Joint Total Force Scott community opportunities to win prizes simply by taking advantage of the morale and quality life programs and services available here like Starbucks and the Cheesecake Factory at Pronto's Pizza and standard favorites like the annual summer reading program at the library. With individual prizes ranging from a dream vacation to cash up to $10,000 up for grabs, there isn't any excuse not to play. As an added bonus, all AMC bases compete for monetary prizes to be used towards morale, welfare, and recreation programs. Scott has won the base race before and built the family cardio room at the James Gym as well as the pavilions at the Airman Leadership School with the earnings. The race officially ends Sunday at midnight and Scott is currently in ninth place. Please help JTF Scott finish strong by participating in AMC's MatchUP...you might just be the next big prize winner! Within easier reach than the top prize for the leading base is the $1,000 prize for the AMC base with the highest, single day registration total. Joint Total Force Scott, it's time to rally. Get registered and play today! Labor Day Labor Day weekend marks the conclusion of the 101 Critical Days of Summer Campaign. It's been a great summer and the Joint Total Force Scott community has done a tremendous job in making safety a top priority. As we move into fall, it's important we continue to practice safety in everything we do - at work and at home. To cap the 101 Critical Days of Summer Campaign, the 375th Safety Office is organizing the Save a Life program here at Scott on Sept. 4. The program showcases a variety of preventative measures and safety tools. It will be time well spent learning ways to keep you and your family safe; I encourage you to participate. Please take advantage of this Labor Day weekend to spend quality down-time with family and friends. Having fun and relaxing are awesome ways to recharge your 'batteries' while keeping things in the right perspective. Have a safe and happy Labor Day, Joint Total Force Scott. Come back refreshed and ready to fly, fight, and win.