JBER units prepare for logistics compliance inspection

  • Published
  • By Luke Waack
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Units from the 3rd Wing and 673d Air Base Wing went through a Logistics Compliance Assessment Program team inspection, Monday through Friday.

The LCAP team of 40 logistics and maintenance members took an in-depth look at aircraft maintenance, munitions and logistics readiness functions in the 3rd Maintenance Group and the 673d Logistics Readiness Group.

The last inspection was in 2008, officials said.

The inspection is a test of how well a squadron does its job and inspectors grade tasks and programs and check for regulation compliance.

The 3rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, in 2008, was noted as providing exceptional support to units, and the inspection team observed very high technical proficiency and no safety or technical violations.

"In the previous LCAP, all maintenance group squadrons earned "Excellent" ratings including the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron, 3rd Maintenance Operation Squadron, 3rd Component Maintenance Squadron and 703d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron,'" said Air Force Capt. Darrell Chase Jr., 3rd Maintenance Operations Squadron, maintenance operations officer. "The team stated 'Technical proficiency was consistently high in all five squadrons.'"

A good score comes with a price. Units checked, re-checked and then checked again thousands of tasks for regulation compliance prior to the inspection team's arrival, Chase said.

"There are well over 5,000 specific task items when looking at all the checklists," Chase said.

An LCAP inspection can be a stressful time, Chase said.

"The inspection has significant personnel evaluation focus," he said. "The team attempts to complete an over the shoulder evaluation on all personnel. This can be quite intimidating for younger Airmen, let alone seasoned NCOs."

The 3rd Wing prepped all its aircraft and maintenance group facilities.

"Easily 50 plus facilities to include hangars, buildings, ammo storage facilities and even portable storage facilities; nothing is off limits to the inspectors," Chase said.
It's very important that units score well the first time, he continued.

"This inspection validates how we execute our mission day to day," Chase said. "If we don't receive a passing grade the team will return and re-inspect the units in about three months."

According to the 673d Logistics Readiness Group, the LCAP team can also identify issues beyond the unit's control and take them back as MAJCOM action items.

The 673d Logistics Readiness Group prepared more than 20 major facilities across the installation for the inspection, according to Chief Master Sgt. Shawn Keller, 673d Logistics Readiness Group superintendent. Additionally, the 773d Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 673d Logistics Readiness Squadron prepared 935 checklists.

"The LCAP assists wings by providing an independent evaluation of their maintenance and logistics units' adherence to applicable technical data, policies and directives by validating that unit processes are consistent and that their quality assurance program is effective," said Chief Master Sgt. Stephen Butler, former 673d Logistics Readiness Group, superintendent.

The LCAP provides training as required, Butler said.

"LCAP inspections provide the unit commander and senior leadership with an assessment of the unit's ability to perform key processes ensuring safe, standardized, repeatable, technically compliant process execution, while promoting a culture of professional excellence and personal responsibility," Butler said.

Units were give a preliminary grade by inspectors, Friday