305th OSS is ready for evaluation Published Aug. 5, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Dennis L. Sloan Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The 305th Operations Support Squadron is preparing for a week-long evaluation the Air Traffic System Evaluation Program team from Aug. 8 to 12. The ATSEP team evaluates the 305th OSS on air traffic system safety, compatibility and adequacy every two years. Preparation for the evaluation takes months and can cause the team to work much longer hours than usual. "We have to scrub through everything and update anything with a new directive or operating instruction," said Airman 1st Class Chad Watson, 305th OSS airfield management. "We are working hard to ensure we are ready for this inspection." Ensuring they take pride in everything they do, the first thing the team must do to prepare for the inspection is run through all the checklists to see where they currently stand. Once they figure out what is squared away, they then have to find what needs to be fixed. If something cannot be fixed by the time the ATSEP team arrives, a work order or some form of resolution plan must be made. "We can't have everything perfect," said Watson. "The flightline is always being used, so things such as a runway light may break. We call 87th Civil Engineer Squadron and they come out and fix it." The ATSEP evaluation covers more than 10 sections with each having at least five inspection areas. The week-long inspection will evaluate the team on how well they inspect certain items such as vehicles that access the flightline. The team will also be evaluated on finding errors. "Nothing is ever easy," said Airman 1st Class Don Brenner, 305th OSS airfield management. "Anything we inspect requires us to pullout an operating inspection." The team will also have to make sure all their facility records are up-to-date and all equipment certifications are current. Once the evaluation process begins, they will have an ATSEP evaluator over their shoulder at all times. Each error they make will cost them a point and ultimately lower their overall evaluation rating. After the inspection is over, the ATSEP team will present the 305th OSS with an overall rating ranging from: unsatisfactory, marginal, satisfactory, excellent or outstanding. The team received satisfactory on its last inspection and wants to improve upon it. "The rating we receive is a direct reflection of how hard, how well and how prepared we are for the day to day missions," said Staff Sgt. Stephanie Martinez, 305th OSS airfield management. "If we fail then we will have to fix the problems which may slow or even bring the mission to a halt. We cannot afford for this to happen."