509th Bomb Wing earns ‘Outstanding’ CORI rating

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rob Hazelett
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
The Air Combat Command inspector general announced Sunday the 509th Bomb Wing received an "outstanding" grade for their recent conventional operations readiness inspection. 

During the outbrief, ACC IG members said they were "truly impressed with the professionalism, devotion and dedication to the mission displayed throughout the inspection" at Whiteman. 

The CORI, which was held May 14 - 20, was the wing's first since the wing went to war in Operation Allied Force in 1998. 

Contributing to the 509th BW's overall score of outstanding, Airmen were evaluated in three major graded areas of the ORI: employment, mission support and the ability to survive and operate in a deployed environment. 

IG ratings are based on a five-tier rating: outstanding, excellent, satisfactory, marginal or unsatisfactory. 

Team Whiteman made CORI history Sunday, when it was announced as the first base that did not score less than satisfactory in 135 evaluation areas. 

"During this ORI, we noticed a tremendous sense of pride and total focus on combat employment throughout the 509th Bomb Wing that directly impacted your war-fighting capability," said Col. Michael Rollison, ACC inspector general team chief. "We would be proud to go to war and fight side-by-side with your wing any time, any place. I thank you for your hospitality and support you provided over the past seven days. It was truly world class." 

After going through the individual categories, and the most important overall category, 55 superior performers and 24 superior performance team were recognized. 

Brig. Gen. Greg Biscone, 509th BW commander, expressed his pride in Team Whiteman at Monday's CORI celebration, and said he was impressed with the leadership he saw at every level. "In my career, I have not seen a base prepare the way you did - be proud," he said. "Since 2000, in 27 ACC inspections, the IG has issued only two 'Outstandings.' You are number two." 

That drew a round of applause from the audience, as the general returned the ovation to his troops. 

"Last year, at my change of command, I said, 'I wish I could stand up here and say this was the best wing, but I didn't know that,'" General Biscone said. "In December, when ACC and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency conducted our Joint Nuclear Surety Inspection, it was announced as the 'Best they had seen to date.' 

"Now, one year later, I can stand here and say what ACC already knows - you are the best wing," he said. "When our country calls for the need to kick down doors and put bombs on target, it calls the 509th."