In a word: Excellent

  • Published
  • By Valerie Mullett
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Air Combat Command's Office of the Inspector General sent a team of evaluators to Malmstrom June 11 to 18 to "evaluate initial response, employment, mission support, and ability to survive and operate capabilities for the 819th and 219th RED HORSE Squadrons" during a scheduled Operational Readiness Inspection. 

The inspectors used a five-tier evaluation system that ranges from unsatisfactory to outstanding to evaluate numerous individual and team taskings. No one element of the 819th/219th RHS inspection received a grade below satisfactory and the overall inspection rating was excellent. 

"We were thoroughly impressed with every aspect of the HORSE's performance throughout the entire inspection. I'd jump at the chance to have the HORSE on my team if I were a commander in a deployed environment," said Col. James Smith, ACC Inspection team chief. 

"We've conducted several RED HORSE inspections over the past few years and the 819th results were the best we have seen from a RED HORSE unit," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Kelley, ACC Inspection deputy team chief.  "To have the number of outstanding ratings they amassed and to have all the 61 sub-areas grade out at least satisfactory is virtually unprecedented." 

Superlatives such as superior, flawless, proactive, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, professional, highly motivated, expeditious, aggressive and comprehensive flowed throughout the 50-page report of findings, with the majority of the areas evaluated rated excellent or outstanding. 

Using the characteristics of attitude, urgency and attention to detail were preparation trademarks that led the squadron to achieve "above the line" results, according to Col. David Funk, commander of the 819th RHS while the inspection was taking place. 

"Additionally, since we are deploying later this fall, we received a lot of benefit in preparing for that from this inspection," said Maj. Dayton Nooner, 819th RHS deputy commander. 

Major Nooner added that preparing for this inspection in light of their heavy troop training project workload and upcoming deployment was a huge task. "But the HORSE really buckled down and put forth the energy needed to perform remarkably in the end," he said. "I'm proud of the awesome effort put forth and we can all pat ourselves on the back for our accomplishments." 

The inspection team recognized three superior teams and 13 superior  individuals. Those people are:
Superior Teams
819th RHS Demolition Team
819th RHS Engineering Team
819th/219th Mobile Aircraft Arresting System Team
Superior Performers
819th RHS
Master Sgt. Carlos Wade
Tech. Sgt. Robert Cullison
Tech. Sgt. Gerald Hurst
Tech. Sgt. Kevn Marrinan
Tech. Sgt. Vincent schuyler
Staff Sgt. Isaia Ahkiong
Staff Sgt. Jin Chong
Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hill
Staff Sgt. Michael Jerauld
Senior Airman Michael Perkins
Senior Airman Verack Vorngsam
219th RHS
Master Sgt. Kelly Palmer
Master Sgt. Charles Sheffield