LSEP: a maintainer's report card, Dover Airmen to be inspected for performance

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Team Dover Airmen will be inspected for the Logistics Standardization and Evaluation Program this weekend.

Airmen in the logistics functions had to prepare for two inspections as the LSEP is conducted in conjunction with the Unit Compliance Inspection.

"The LSEP inspection evaluates crucial processes throughout AMC logistics functions to ensure uniform job performance and compliance with established standards," said 2nd Lt. Jordan Healy, 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron production officer.

The LSEP, a requirement for all Air Mobility Command bases, provides graded assessments that use a five-tier rating scale of outstanding, excellent, satisfactory, marginal and unsatisfactory.

"AMC has established the grading criteria - much like a report card, to ensure maintainers live up to the standards in accordance to Air Force Instructions and technical orders to do the job safely and by the book," said Lieutenant Healy.

Airmen are required to use technical data as they perform their daily duties and ensure they avoid safety violations.

"Our goal is to make sure there are no safety violations," said the lieutenant. "The inspectors are making sure we follow all instructions carefully, without taking shortcuts, because every little thing we do affects the mission. Fixing and maintaining our aircraft that carry life-saving cargo to deployed locations is definitely an important mission."

Assessments of Dover Airmen will be conducted around the clock.

"Inspections are necessary because it helps the squadron be at the top of their game in meeting standards and getting the job done," said Airman Andrew Keiser, 436th AMXS crewchief. "Being tested helps us see any mistakes we make so we'd learn not to repeat the same mistake, which could ultimately hinder our mission."

Some aircraft maintainers feel fully confident to pass the test regardless of the fact that they may be monitored by the inspectors.

"Having someone watch over my shoulder as I work doesn't make me nervous," said Senior Airman Adam McKeehan, 436th AMXS journeyman. "I know that we won't fail because my supervision has trained me and showed me how to do things the right way by the book."

Dover's maintainers have had practice inspections months ahead of time to prepare them for the real deal.

"I believe we will succeed in this LSEP because of all our training and doing what we know with motivation," said Airman McKeehan.

One of the ways 436th AMXS to prepared for the LSEP was to use cell managers, who act as a mentor for the aircraft maintainers.

"Cell managers have memorized the Aircraft LSEP checklist to help correct Airmen on the spot," said Tech. Sgt. Cody Garland, 436th AMXS lead technician of instrument flight control systems. "Cell managers are not the inspectors, but they are there to catch simple mistakes."

For each isolated violation, 0.5 percentage points are deducted from the grade.

"Despite the stringent grading system, we're striving for an outstanding and I think our last practice was close to getting that score," said Sergeant Garland.

Practice might make for outstanding results for 436th AMXS Airmen and leadership feels confident the maintainers will not disappoint.

"We expect that our hard work will pay off because of the diligence and perseverance our Airmen have shown through these practices," said Chief Master Sgt. Jon Lynn, 436th AMXS maintenance superintendent. "There was much work and effort in planning for this ahead of time and we're ready to go."