The 434th Air Refueling Wing recently welcomed the Air Force Reserve Command Inspector General team for a Unit Effectiveness Inspection from April 25 – 28th. A UEI is a continual evaluation of a wing's performance over a 36-month cycle. This visit serves as a test of the Hoosier Wing and its abilities.
"It’s just like a teacher and a student,” said Senior Master Sgt. Richard Zeiger, the 434th ARW Wing Inspections Superintendent. “Headquarters takes a look at how well you do your job, and they test you on it. If you’ve ever worked for a large company, you’re familiar with this kind of inspection.”
Throughout the evaluation cycle and during the capstone visit, inspectors grade the wing across four Major Graded Areas, or MGAs: executing the mission, leading people, managing resources, and improving the unit. These MGAs are umbrella terms that help AFRC get a better understanding of a wing’s functionality, with several other graded areas specific to an Airman’s role in the mission.
"We push really hard on teaching how to self-identify issues,” said Zeiger. “It’s more of a continuous evaluation of your career rather than just a standardized test that you have to prepare for.”
During the on-site visit, AFRC inspectors conducted Airmen-to-IG sessions, reviewed critical programs, and observed daily operations to ensure the wing is complying with Air Force standards and safely executing its mission.
The findings from the UEI will provide wing leadership with an independent assessment of the unit's effectiveness, identifying both areas of excellence and improvement.
“As inspectors begin their work, I’m confident they will see what I see; a team that takes pride in excellence, adapts under pressure and remains focused on delivering results,” said Col. Jon Bergman, 434 ARW commander. “This inspection is an opportunity to demonstrate who we are, how we operate, and why we are the best refueling wing in the command.”