AFWA earns “outstanding” UCI rating Published May 3, 2011 By Ryan Hansen 55th Wing Public Affairs OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- After a stressful and tedious four-day unit compliance inspection, there's one word to describe the Air Force Weather Agency -- outstanding. AFWA earned that title after posting an impressive 98.82 percent rating by UCI inspectors who were here from April 25-28. "I couldn't be prouder of the men and women of the Air Force Weather Agency," said Col. Robert Russell, AFWA commander. "I know how professional this team is every day and how much extra effort went into putting the finishing touches on every area prior to the inspection and it was outstanding to learn the inspection team recognized the same thing." For those who have been around UCI inspections before, AFWA's 98.82 percent rating is almost unheard of. "To say it's rare, is an understatement," said Chief Master Sgt. Pat McGuffin, AFWA's senior enlisted advisor. "It reflects the caliber of the players on the AFWA team." Inspectors graded AFWA on their compliance with executive orders, Department of Defense directives, Air Force instructions and reviewed more than 3,800 checklist items. When it was announced that the UCI team was coming to AFWA, the agency rallied around each other and was more than ready to answer the inspectors' questions. "Our team worked hard to make sure we were prepared and it paid off in a big way," Chief McGuffin said. The commander said one of the reasons his staff was so well prepared was because of their close relationship with the 55th Wing, Offutt's host unit. "Top to bottom they were team players with the preparation and during the actual inspection," Colonel Russell said. "We are really blessed to have such great hosts and it showed." UCI inspectors use a five-tier scale for their results: Outstanding, Excellent, Satisfactory, Marginal and Unsatisfactory. No AFWA section received an unsatisfactory rating and out of eight major graded areas, the agency received seven outstanding ratings and one satisfactory rating. "The rating says it all," Colonel Russell said, "the people, attitude, dedication and capabilities are simply outstanding." In addition, the inspection team recognized seven superior performers and six superior teams during the UCI. Superior Performers Force Support Tech. Sgt. Richard Campbell Communications & Information Master Sgt. Stephen Grove Ms. Harolyn Morris Security, Protection & Emergency Management Ms. Susan Gottschall Mr. Ken Smith Contracting Mr. Stephen Williams Safety Master Sgt. Fambro Knight Superior Teams Logistics AEF Management Team Communications & Information C2 Systems and Infrastructure Information Assurance Team System Management Contracting Services/Quality Assurance Financial Management and Comptroller Financial Management