News

Aircrew Standardization and Evaluation Visit tests Dover

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Christina Sukach
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
After two intense weeks of scrutiny, the Aircrew Standardization and Evaluation Visit team wraps up their inspection this morning with outbriefs at the Base Theater here.

Aircrew members from the 436th and 512th Airlift Wings have been preparing for this inspection for months, with part of the build-up including spot-flight evaluations prior to the official March 13 inspection start date.

As the name implies, the 436th and 512th AW Operations Groups' standardization and evaluation offices were inspected, along with the training, tactics, host aviation resource management and squadron aviation resource management offices. Records were reviewed, procedures dissected and people quizzed.

In fact, all qualified aircrew members - pilots, engineers and loadmasters - took immediate-action and closed-book tests, which they needed to pass in order to keep their flying certifications.

"This is a compliance-based inspection where (the inspectors) use the Air Force Instruction guidance, or any other guidance we may have as a wing, and they'll say, 'Okay, it says aircrews will do this - now show me how you're doing this - how you are complying,'" said Lt. Col. Steve Swenson, 436th Operations Group Standardization and Evaluation chief.

Aircrew members from across both wings were chosen from individual squadrons and teamed up for evaluation of their handling of real-world local flying scenarios.

"The (inspectors') goal was to test 25 percent of the crew force on an in-flight evaluation," said Maj. Todd Garrett, 436th Operations Group Standardization and Evaluation assistant chief and the only C-5 instructor pilot evaluated while conducting Night Vision Goggle operations during the ASEV. "And, we've met that goal."

While 25 percent may not sound like a big number, these evaluations were conducted in addition to the already high operational tempo of real-world missions.

"Our people are flying missions, but they're also preparing in their spare time for this inspection," said Colonel Swenson. "There's a lot of preparation that goes on for the ASEV."

Dover is undergoing additional inspections because it is in the unique position of being the only C-5 base with both Aircraft Modernization and NVG Programs, said Colonel Swenson.

Individual programs from each of the various flights will receive grades from unsatisfactory to outstanding. If a program is found to be excellent or outstanding, that particular program can be benchmarked for the rest of the command to emulate.

Those results are then compiled, and the wing receives an overall rating of mission ready or non-mission ready, said Major Garrett.

During the in-brief that kicked off the ASEV, Col. Manske mentioned that this inspection is really the Superbowl for the fliers, said Major Garrett.

"So far, we think the home-team's score is pretty good," added Major Garrett.