By GARRICK FELDMAN
Leader executive editor
Little Rock Air Force Base received an overall satisfactory rating after the 19th Airlift Wing’s Operational Readiness Inspection, the Air Mobility Command in-spector general’s team announced Friday. The inspection was held Oct. 11-18.
Col. Mike Minihan, commander of the 19th Airlift Wing, called the inspection “a home run.”
“We’re very happy,” he said in an interview with The Leader on Friday afternoon. “I couldn’t be more proud of our airmen. They’re amazing to watch.”
“This is an exceptional group,” Minihan pointed out. “It’s a great team with a can-do attitude.”
He pointed out the wing is working under challenging conditions as it meets its obligations not only at home but also in Afghanistan and Iraq.
More than 100 inspectors fanned out on base and looked at the base’s ability to carry out its missions, including deployment, combat and redeployment.
Minihan said, “We met each of those pillars. We made no compromises.”
The inspection tested the 19th AW’s readiness for contingency operations capabilities, which focused on the wing’s ability to mobilize and operate in a deployed environment, as well as protection of the base.
He said it would have beeneasy to get a higher rating if the wing were not involved in combat missions in two countries.
“It would have been real easy if it were just an inspection,” the colonel said.
The ratings are outstanding, excellent, satisfactory, marginal and unsatisfactory.
The inspections are carried out every five years. A low rating would have meant the base would have undergone another inspection in six months.
He said the challenge is to “prepare for ORI and not compromise the war effort and our partner wing.”
The 19th AW is constantly on the go with dozens of planes and hundreds of airmen deployed overseas, he said. Yet the wing does its job well, Minihan said.
Six C-130s and 400 airmen, also known as the Black Knights, participated in the inspection.
The inspection team members evaluated the wing’s ability to survive, its operational skills and how airmen get the job done in accordance with Air Force guidance and instructions.
Scenarios included C-130 takeoff and deliveries, maintenance, convoy operations, weapons readiness, kidnappings and more.
Inspectors praised the wing’s strong points, including its operators, maintainers and medical crews.
“They praised our attitude and morale,” Minihan said.
Room for improvement in-cludes better adherence to regulation and better efficiency.
The airmen spent months training for the inspection, holding exercises regularly during which airmen and volunteers simulated various situations.
The crowd which gathered for the announcement responded with “We are Black Knights” after hearing the news.
“Everything we do is because of this great state,” a jubilant Minihan said. “We’re honorary Arkansans. You make it possible to carry out our mission.”
“ORI touches everyone’s life,” the colonel said. Despite the grueling schedule, community support makes the wing’s work easier, Minihan said.
“I’m proud of the hard work and dedication of our Black Knights. The men and women of the 19th never cease to amaze me with their superb skill,” Minihan told a group of airmen after the results were announced on base.
“The IG (inspector general) witnessed first-hand the professionalism, attitude and enthusiasm that fuels C-130 Combat Airlift. This week was a snapshot of the tireless efforts our airmen and families invest in our mission daily at home and abroad.”
The 19th Airlift Public Affairs contributed to this report.
