Commander’s inspection program executes first employment exercise with 192nd and 1st Fighter Wings

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. M. Selki
  • Virginia Joint Force HQ Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. --  The 192nd Fighter Wing's and 1st Fighter Wing's Maintenance and Operations Group total force team simultaneously executed the first commander's inspection program employment exercise at Joint Base Langley-Eustis along with a complex Razor Talon large force, off-station exercise at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Oct. 16-18, 2014.
"We conducted this exercise with our partners in the 1st Fighter Wing under the new Air Force inspection system. This inspection program finally gives commanders the ability to evaluate what we really think is critical for our combat capability rather than battling some of the artificial constructs of legacy inspection programs. We learned a tremendous amount from this exercise that will help us be more effective in our mission," said Col. Robert J. Grey, 192nd Fighter Wing commander.
During the 48-hour exercise, Airmen generated and employed realistic scenarios, debriefed, supported, fixed, reloaded and turned F-22 combat airpower in a very demanding 24-hour operation. The team exercised enhanced global strike capabilities and integrated with many other assets in the 9th Air Force.
"Total force effort was great. Collaboration worked well. Once we're out there on the flight line together, there's no Guard or Active Duty; just Airmen," said an NCO, 192nd Fighter Wing weapons system specialist. "It was a good test of our expectations, how to keep your cool to get the job done and stay focused."
"What stood out to me the most was the camaraderie of the Airmen during stressful situations," said an NCO.
"It was a total force integration achievement for this shop. There were certainly lessons learned and things to be fixed, but overall it was good," said an NCO, 192nd Fighter Wing weapons expeditor.
"The exercise was an outstanding step forward in linking our training and inspection programs. The result will be increased combat effectiveness," said Col. Stephen Bunting, 192nd Fighter Wing Maintenance Group commander.

In summation of the exercise, in a message to all 192nd and 1st Fighter Wing personnel, Col. Grey and 1st Fighter Wing Commander Col. Kevin A. Huyck said "We will undoubtedly have many lessons learned, areas to improve on and processes to tighten...  [but] we will be stronger as a team and even better prepared for real-world taskings."