Incirlik has it 'going on' during UEI

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
  • 39 Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  After a week of inspections, worst case scenarios and process checks, Team Incirlik earned an "Excellent" rating from the U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Air Forces Africa Inspector General team after a Unit Effectiveness Inspection here Oct. 8-13.

The "Excellent" rating is a culmination of the continuing efforts from each base agency to remain in compliance with, and exceed, Air Force standards, said Col. Chris Craige, 39th Air Base Wing commander.

"My message to the wing heading into this inspection was not to scramble and work long shifts in order to fix everything before the IG team arrived,"
said Col Craige. "I told them simply to do what they do every day, and I think the IG recognized the level of intensity and dedication shown by team Incirlik was not done just to impress them."

Although members of the IG team arrived on a holiday weekend, commanders and key personnel ensured they had adequate space and resources to begin conducting their assessments soon after landing.

From major accident response exercises to suspicious package scenarios in highly populated areas, Incirlik Airmen were evaluated on their ability to react to base-specific situations and some that can happen at any military instillation. The scenarios tested and proved the Airmen's ability to survive and operate effectively during crisis situations here.

"Even though the IG was as impressed as I am with what the 39th Air Base Wing does every single day, there is still room for improvement," the wing commander said. "I said all along that I welcomed the opportunity for the IG team to come here and identify deficiencies so we can improve and become that much better at executing the mission."

To gain a better scope of the Incirlik community, the IG team gave people a chance to voice their opinions, questions and concerns.

"We conducted more than 500 interviews with Airmen and family members here," said Lt. Col. Joseph Less, USAFE/AFA IG commander. "The morale here is high."

As a testament to the high spirits and hard work of Airmen here, the IG team presented several Airmen with major command-level awards. Master Sgt. Lee Hoover, American Forces Network Incirlik detachment commander, and Tech. Sgt. Kitsana Dounglomchan, Incirlik Airman Leadership School instructor, were presented the USAFE IG Award of Excellence for their work in showcasing Airmen's resiliency and dedication to the Air Force through the Storytellers program.

As the IG team departed, they acknowledged Team Incirlk's efforts in sustaining an efficient, effective force to support both USAFE and NATO objectives, while also making quality-of-life of Airmen and families a priority.

"Incirlik's got it going on," said one IG team member.


Below is a list of outstanding performers identified by the IG team during the inspection.


39th Air Base Wing

Emergency Operations Center Team

Tech Sgt. Donna M. Barnhill

Lt. Col. Tonney Kaw-uh

Senior Airman Christina A. Palmeri

Staff Sgt. Veronica M. Smith

Master Sgt. Jennifer M Vicente


39th Medical Group

1st Lt. Jodie Cantey

1st Lt. Rajaram Chandramouli

Capt. Heidi Peterson

Master Sgt. Curtis E. Miller

Medical Readiness Team


39th Logistics Readiness Squadron

Airman 1st Class Massivo H. Ahoton

Staff Sgt. Daniel L. Rudder


39th Security Forces Squadron

Senior Airman Michael K. Hutton


39th Operations Squadron

1st Lt. Stacey C. Anderson


39th Force Support Squadron

Casualty Assistance Team

Hodja Lakes Golf Course