SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- 4th Air Force completed a Staff Assistance Visit here November 28 through December 1 in preparation for the 916th Air Refueling Wing's upcoming Unit Compliance Inspection, which is scheduled for July.
The purpose of the visit was to ensure all functional areas of the 916th ARW operate in compliance with increasing command standards and to provide assistance in reaching compliance in areas where adjustments may be needed.
"We use the same checklist that is used during the UCI," said Col. Todd Keegan, the director of plans and programs for 4th Air Force. "Our report is strictly internal, and it is given to the wing commander before we leave."
If there are units within the wing that are still in need of support in meeting compliance standards following a SAV, 4th Air Force can return for what is called a Functional Assistance Visit. During a FAV, they would provide further guidance to help get that unit up to speed.
"We look at everything the UCI team looks at, but we try to dig a little deeper," said Colonel Keegan.
4th Air Force is able to "dig deeper" due in part to the large staff they provide for each SAV.
The team has about 80 personnel, which is approximately twice the size of the UCI team, said Colonel Keegan.
4th Air Force conducts about two to three SAVs annually, and is responsible for 15 subordinate units, totaling more than 24,200 Air Force reservists.
For this visit the 916th faired well, but there were still several answerable findings through various sections throughout the wing.
"The inspectors were really pleased with the support and positive attitudes of everybody. Everyone took the criticism well," said Col. Fritz Linsenmeyer, 916th ARW commander. "We have some work to do during the six UTAs before the UCI but I know we'll all pull together and put the right foot forward."