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459th ARW excels at Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Patrick M. McKenna
  • 316th Wing Public Affairs Office
10/4/2008 --  10/4/2008 - ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, Md. -- The 459th Air Refueling Wing completed its Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection which was conducted by an Air Mobility Command Inspector General team from September 19-21.

"This inspection brought the wing together like never before," said Col. Tim Cahoon, 459th ARW commander. "The men and women of the 459th gave up a lot of time with their families and really rose to the occasion."

The purpose of the week-long NORI was to see if the 459th's units performed their duties, and if so, were they completed at a satisfactory level and in compliance with all Air Force regulations. The 459th was briefed of the AMC IG team's findings Wednesday at the 459th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron auditorium here at Andrews.

The inspection team's finding focused on four major graded areas which were unit generation, employment, mission support, and safety and defensive counter information. While an overall grade could not be handed down at this time, the 459th did receive fantastic marks for all the subordinate units that fell under the four major graded areas.

All units that received grades Wednesday performed satisfactorily with several receiving marks of Excellent and two receiving a grade of Outstanding which is the highest possible rating. Those two were security forces from both the 316th and 459th wings and intelligence which fell under the Mission Support graded area.

Seven teams from the 459th ARW and two from the 316th Wing were specifically recognized for their performance as well as a number of individuals who showed exemplary work ethic and leadership during the inspection.

Also recognized were the 316th Wing and the 89th Airlift Support Group for their outstanding support.

Col. David Post, 459th Maintenance Group commander said that what makes the results of this inspection so impressive is that the 459th ARW received notification of this inspection in June and had a number of its members return from deployments in September.

"This truly required everyone working together at a high level when it really counted while also having to reintegrate themselves back at home," Colonel Post said.