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Key inspection to test units’ mettle

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Paula A. Paige
  • 87th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Some of life's greatest lessons are learned during embarrassing moments, acknowledges Chief Master Sgt. James Lombardo, recalling a "Murphy's Law" day in painful detail.

Stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Chief Lombardo was a young staff sergeant trying his best to impress two inspectors who were evaluating the practices and procedures of the aircraft maintenance shop. Standing on a maintenance platform used to repair the aircraft, he said he "failed to properly relieve pressure off the hydraulic cylinder, which caused the platform to malfunction."

In other words, the platform fell, "dropping approximately two and a half feet, bouncing my toolbox off the platform," Chief Lombardo said recently. "When the toolbox fell, it opened and all the tools were ejected, rolling all over the ramp. All this happened under the watchful eyes of the two inspectors who laughed. I was rushing, trying to impress them. I wasn't following the rules."

Eventually recognized as a superior performer on a later inspection, these days, Chief Lombardo not only follows the rules, he helps enforce them. Chief of Quality Assurance for the 305th Maintenance Group, Chief Lombardo is among a team of senior leaders focusing on the upcoming Logistics Standardization and Evaluation Program, or LSEP, inspection scheduled for May 4 to 11 here on the Joint Base.

An Air Mobility Command program, the LSEP is the most crucial inspection faced by a wing's logistics organization. The LSEP team of about 63 inspectors will evaluate a unit's ability to perform its mission in accordance with Air Mobility Command and Air Force policy and directives. Using grades of outstanding, excellent, satisfactory, marginal and unsatisfactory, the team will evaluate the active duty's 305th Maintenance Group, the Reserve's 514th Maintenance Group, the 621st Contingency Response Wing and the 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron in the 87th Mission Support Group.

How the inspectors grade is determined by the team's assessment of technical compliance and safety, and by evaluating tasks performed. LSEP focuses on six key areas: accuracy of written guidance, proper tools and equipment, qualified and proficient workforce, organizational alignment, execution (accomplishing work in accordance with tech data and policy directives), and management oversight. 

"This inspection will bring some new challenges," said Chief Lombardo, as it the first LSEP since the Joint Base was established a few weeks ago. The 305th Aerial Port Squadron was merged with the 305th Maintenance Group in March, and will be undergoing their ATSEV (Air Transportation Standardization Evaluation) inspection at the same time as the LSEP.

"There's no other four-letter word that gets the attention of an AMC logistics professional faster than LSEP," said Col. James Weber, commander of the 305th Maintenance Group. "This is our report card, and the grading is tough, but diligence and attention to detail will win the day." 

Despite the pressure, Chief Lombardo encouraged McGuire Airmen to stay positive. "If you ping like I did as a young staff sergeant, you'll only end up dropping all your tools."

Who's on the LSEP inspection list?

Here is a list of the Joint Base units that will undergo the crucial Logistics Standardization and Evaluation Program inspection:

Wing level - 305th Air Mobility Wing; 621st Contingency Response Wing; the 87th Air Base Wing; 514th Air Mobility Wing

Group Level - 305th Maintenance Group; 514th Maintenance Group; 87th Mission Support Group

Squadron level - 305th and 605th Aircraft Maintenance squadrons; the 305th Maintenance Squadron; 305th Maintenance Operations Squadron, 305th Aerial Port Squadron, 87th Logistics Readiness Squadron

Reserve associate units - 514th and 714th Aircraft Maintenance squadrons

Inspection do's and don'ts

By Col. James Weber
305th Maintenance Group Commander 

"Don't focus on the inspection. Focus on your job," advises Chief Master Sgt. Dan Romano, the superintendent of the 305th Maintenance Group, one of the organizations that will be under the microscope of the Logistics Standardization and Evaluation Program inspection team, which will arrive here May 11.

"You need to do your job right, every day," Chief Romano says. "If you are just focusing on LSEP prep, you've already missed the boat." Chief Romano offers Airmen these do's and don'ts for a successful inspection:

Do initiate communication with your inspector. When you see an inspector approaching, make eye contact, walk toward him or her, introduce yourself, initiate a hand shake and ask if you can help. Explain what you are doing and ask if they have any questions. Use your training, knowledge and technical order to showcase your skills, while keeping the inspector informed. This is not gamesmanship, it is common courtesy and shows you are confident, motivated and ready.

Don't try to outsmart an inspector. You will lose. Focus your discussions on those areas where you are skilled and knowledgeable. If asked something you do not know, respond honestly, then tell the inspector you'll get back to him with an answer. (Don't forget to follow up with the answer, then advise your supervisor.) Never speculate if you do not know something. This lowers your credibility and may prompt an inspector to ask follow-up questions. It's always better to admit you don't know something than to give the wrong answer.

Do correct discrepancies on the spot, if possible. If something is wrong or an inspector finds a discrepancy, fix it in front of them. Never hide a blatant discrepancy or try to excuse it. Admit it and correct it. Do all you can to reduce inspectors from having to write something up, and follow up on it later.

Don't make judgments about inspectors' ranks, especially when they are of a lower grade. Consider their positions and know they are here with the authority of the Air Mobility Command. "Pulling rank" may end up ruining your day. Be professional, friendly and observe military customs and courtesies, regardless of rank.