MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Two Wing Inspection Teams from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, and Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina, visited in order to assess the 23rd Maintenance Group’s Quality Assurance program March 20 to 24.
While QA is responsible for guaranteeing the integrity of each aircraft maintainer by ensuring they are performing all maintenance correctly, the WIT teams are in charge of guaranteeing the integrity and accuracy of the QA inspectors.
“If you have one section at the top of the chain and inspecting everyone, but no one is inspecting them to make sure they’re doing their job properly, then you’re going to have holes in the system,” said Master Sgt. Dwight Willke Jr., 23rd Wing Inspector General superintendent. “The WIT is there to hold them accountable.”
During their visit, the WIT inspected nearly 30 different QA programs including product improvement, the function check flight program and the aircraft maintenance qualification program.
“The focus of this inspection encompasses all of the programs managed by quality assurance, and how well day-to-day business is conducted in fulfillment of the commander’s inspection program,” said Master Sgt. Robert Sosa, WIT quality assurance inspector. “Quality assurance is far more than just verifying technical data compliance. This office is called upon to be the eyes and ears of the group commander.”
In addition to the several QA programs being inspected, the WIT also had a consolidated focus on corrosion control. As part of an initiative by Air Combat Command, the WIT examined the wing’s corrosion control facilities in order to identify deficiencies so they can be tracked at the Commander’s Inspection Management Board.
“This inspection is way more than just an examination of continuity books and bumping them against [Air Force Instructions] and regulations,” said Sosa. “It will not only help identify potential areas of improvement and help mitigate long term solutions solidifying the changes, but also provide us with an abundance of data to take home and bounce against our own programs and procedures.”
Inviting outside teams allows each wing to gain a new perspective and revamp their processes based on other bases’ systems. This gives them the opportunity to compare their programs and procedures and “share the wealth” as Willke says, in order to ensure effectiveness within similar maintenance groups across the Air Force.
“We are very grateful for the opportunity to come here and be able to provide fresh eyes to the day-to-day grind, assuring quality of the 23rd maintenance machine,” said Sosa. “Through these efforts, we can reach our goals safely, efficiently, and ensure this wing's ability to attack, rescue and prevail.”