Fifty years of heritage (edition 19) Published July 28, 2011 By Eric M. White 910 AW/PA YOUNGSTOWN AIR RESERVE STATION, Ohio -- Each week in 2011, the 910th AW/PA office will republish a historic article or highlight from the archive along with a brief commentary. In the case of articles, we will publish exact copies of the originals, so any grammatical or typographical errors are intentional reproductions. Article 19: Stern words and helpful reminders Late in 1972, Lt. Col. Billy R. Henderson, then commander of the 910th Tactical Fighter Group, responded to a series of less-than-appealing inspection outcomes. Using the Nine Ten Flyer as a podium to address his concerns with the group, Henderson offers insightful thoughts on the purpose of inspections and scathing retorts toward Airmen who thought it less-than-imperative to fix discrepancies between inspections. The 910th Airlift Wing's next major inspection, the Operational Readiness Inspection, is scheduled for 2013. It seems ages away, but units will soon dive into preparations. The purpose of the ORI is for the Air Force's Inspector General to measure a unit's ability to perform assigned operational missions and validate combat readiness. Henderson's words on the importance of these inspections are valid for every Airman. Commander's Corner By Lt. Col. Billy R. Henderson From the November 1973 Nine Ten Flyer I'm reasonably certain mot members of the 910th feel they know what inspections are all about. But now I've begun to wonder if they really do know. Recently, this unit was inspected by two teams simultaneously, on from the 12th Air Force and the other from Air Force Reserve Headquarters. The inspections we adjudged "satisfactory" but many discrepancies were found. Last month, the 434th Wing staff visited the 910th to study what was being done here as a result of those inspections. Although this was not an inspection visit per se, much of what the wing staff discovered was "unsatisfactory," at least as far s I am concerned. Also, their visit leads me to believe that some of us have forgotten--just what the purpose is behind these inspections. Certainly when we receive a finding on some specific item, we must first correct the discrepancy. And, if immediate correction is not possible for some reason or other, we must indicate on our answer just when final corrective action will have been taken. But most important, if we are to use these inspections as management tools--and that is what they are designed for--we must look deeper into the discrepancy to determine why it occurred. Then we must take action to see that it will not occur again. In other words, the inspection generally shows us what is wrong. It is up to us to find out WHY in most cases. If we do not find out why and if we do not initiate action to prevent a recurrence, then we are bound to have repeats. A review of the supposedly closed findings shows that some corrective actions have not been taken as indicated in the answers. I do not question anyone's integrity. I prefer to consider these discrepancies as cases of processtination. But in instances like this we can't put off until tomorrow. If our inspection answer indicates corrective action has been completed, then it must be completed, then it must be completed. If our answer indicates a date in the future for completed action, then we must strive for completion on or before that suspense date. I also hope all of you know why we are written u on inspections. It is because we have done something contrary to regulations. And why have we done so? In 99% of the cases, I believe, training is to blame. Or rather, I should say the lack of proper training. And, moving along, who is to blame for lack of proper training? Who else but the supervisor. Take a properly supervised, properly trained, properly motivated worker or section and I'll show you a worker or section that gets very few findings on an inspection report. And I'll also show you a worker or section that gets NO REPEAT findings. Sp, what do I expect on inspection findings? I expect each of you to correct the discrepancy, to study it and find out why and then to take action to see that it doesn't recur. And when you say such and such has been or is being done, I expect to be able to believe you.