Command stamps Laughlin with 'Excellent' Published April 3, 2007 By Kent Cummins 47th FTW Public Affairs LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas -- The Air Education and Training Command gave Team XL high marks after a 10-day Operational Readiness Inspection of Laughlin. Laughlin garnered an overall "Excellent" rating during the inspection which kicked off March 26 and officially wrapped up April 3 with a final briefing to base members. During the inspection, evaluators eyed every aspect of Laughlin's mission. They took a rigorous look at everything from the wing's ability to survive and operate during contingencies to the appearance of personnel and the base. After inspectors briefed the results to a packed house in Anderson Hall Auditorium, the 19th Air Force commander praised Laughlin's efforts. "There is a reason for the XL in this wing's name," said Maj. Gen. Irving Halter. "You are a team committed to XLellence. Congratulations to all." The AETC IG team kicked off the Anderson Hall briefing by giving out IG coins to five Laughlin members for superior performance during the inspection. They are: Maj. Steven Kohut, 86th Flying Training Squadron; Mr. Bill Goins, 47th Medical Group; Master Sgt. David Drotts, 47th Force Support Squadron; Tech. Sgt. Alan Garcia, 47th Maintenance Directorate; and Airman 1st Class Patrick Bigler, 47th Communications Squadron. Team XL also received several outstanding ratings for areas that far exceeded mission requirements. The 47th Contracting Squadron earned an overall outstanding rating. Three of the 47th CONS's flights also received outstanding ratings: the Plans and Programs Flight; Engineering and Construction Support Flight; Acquisition Flight. Additionally, in the program management functions, Government Purchase Card was rated outstanding. The 47th Operations Support Squadron's Training Flight also received an outstanding rating from inspectors. Col. Mike Minahan, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, told Laughlin members they were rewarded with an "excellent" by doing an exceptional job tackling numerous initiatives with innovation. "Ten months ago, I said we needed to be innovative in taking on initiatives such as the new, first-of-its-kind Emergency Operations Center, the merging of Services and the Mission Support Squadron, the new Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals Mission, T-38 ejection seat upgrades and more. "Through teamwork and innovation you took on these initiatives and in my book you did an outstanding job," he said. The wing commander told Laughlin members to take time to catch your breath, pat yourself on the back, and use the inspection as a catalyst for bigger and better things. "Use this inspection as a springboard to drive home more innovation and even greater achievements in the future," said Colonel Minahan. Other Team XL outstanding performers for the 2007 ORI include: 47th Flying Training Wing Master Sgt. Timothy F. Gorshe Tech. Sgt. Angela C. Collins 47th Comptroller Squadron Mr. Robert L. Young 47th Operations Support Squadron Capt. Denis J. Paquette Capt. William H. Wimsatt Staff Sgt. Angela R. Gonzalez 84th Flying Training Squadron Capt. Kevin S. Williams 85th Flying Training Squadron Capt. Luke Sullivan 86th Flying Training Squadron Staff Sgt. Ivanna Baron 87th Flying Training Squadron 1st Lt. Brett J. VanderPas 47th Maintenance Directorate Senior Airman Michael B. Jacobs Mr. Rick A. Arneson Mr. Victor N. Batton Mr. Jose A. Burato Mr. Armando Hernandez Mr. Dan J. Kjolhede Mr. Richard Martinez Mr. Mike McCourt Mr. Jimmy Sutton Mr. Clive Trammel 47th Force Support Squadron Senior Airman Tammy Flores 47th Security Forces Squadron Staff Sgt. Julie G. Hurt Senior Airman Reico D. Patrick 47th Communications Squadron Tech. Sgt. Marshall G. Brown Staff Sgt. Leo Marez 47th Civil Engineer Squadron 2nd Lt. Annette J. Collins Ms. Jennifer Harris 47th Mission Support Group Mr. Richard Urban 47th Contracting Squadron Staff Sgt. Arturo Castro 47th Medical Group Tech. Sgt. Hector Rodriquez Contingency Operations Staff Sgt. Athena M. Joslin