COMMENTARY: Congratulations for an “Excellent” achievement

  • Published
  • By Col. Mike Minahan
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Commander
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Team XL...you did it! What an accomplishment. After 10 months of focus and preparation your efforts were rewarded by the Air Education and Training Command Inspector General team with an "Excellent" mark.

You earned an "Excellent" with outstanding energy and teamwork. This tremendous achievement was no surprise to me as I've known all along that you are the best, and now we've got the command's stamp of approval to prove it.

Team XL stood up to and excelled during 10 days of evaluators eyeing every aspect of our mission. Inspectors took a meticulous look at everything from the wing's ability to survive and operate during contingencies to the appearance of personnel and the base. And, in the end, you earned the grade for performance exceeding mission requirements and activities carried out in a superior manner.

What's even more impressive is Team XL was able to excel at its mission while tackling numerous initiatives and functioning in a state of change and "firsts."

We were the first wing in the Air Force to test the Air Force Incident Management System. We were the first unit in the Air Force to accomplish the merger of the Mission Support Squadron and Services Division into the Force Support Squadron. We were the first in the command to accomplish simultaneous T-38 avionics upgrades and propulsion modernization programs. Laughlin has also been at the forefront of significant pilot training transformation initiatives. All this while graduating hundreds of the finest pilots in the world and deploying Airmen in support of the War on Terror.

So, what's next? The ORI is over and the IG team has left.

Please take some time to catch your breath and pat yourself on the back. But, also use the inspection as a catalyst for bigger and better things. Let's use this inspection as a springboard to drive home more innovation and even greater achievements down the road.

I encourage supervisors and commanders to give their people some time off to recharge their batteries. I have directed a half-day off on Friday, April 20 for all military members and liberal leave for civilians.

I know the intense focus everyone has held for months and months. Now that the inspection is over it's a huge relief, but please don't let your guard down especially in the area of safety. Stay vigilant with risk management...make smart decisions both on- and off-duty.

On a quick note, the inspectors did find a few areas we need to shore up and I'm confident Team XL will tackle those with the same fervor, innovation and teamwork that Laughlin is known for throughout AETC.

Maj. Gen. Irving Halter, our 19th Air Force Commander, summed it up perfectly at the out-brief when he said "there is a reason for the XL in this wing's name...you are a team committed to XLellence."

All of you should be proud of this accomplishment because it truly took a team effort to make this happen. Thank you for all your innovation, hard work and dedication. Thanks also to all the family members for their understanding and support during the many long hours their loved ones put in to prepare for this inspection.

Congratulations Team XL. I'm extremely proud and honored to be your commander!