JNSI validates wing's readiness

  • Published
  • By Jason Barebo
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AFB, MO --  The 509th Bomb Wing earned the highest possible rating from the Air Combat Command Inspector General team and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency during the six-day Joint Nuclear Surety Inspection that ended Monday.

The JNSI is an intense event, said the ACC IG team chief.

The inspection team was impressed by the wing's performance and would be proud to go to war and fight side-by-side with the members of Team Whiteman anytime, he said.

The results of this inspection were no surprise as Whiteman's baseline nuclear readiness has always been sound, said Maj. Rhett Binger, 509th BW plans and programs office.

"We have some outstanding program managers at Whiteman."

The 509th BW began preparing for the JNSI mid-July with a nuclear surety staff assistance visit and fine-tuned their performance with nuclear surety exercises in August, September and October, Major Binger said.

"It was the efforts of the wing in the nuclear surety exercises that prepared them to showcase our safety, security and surety abilities during the JNSI," he said.

Major Binger added that Whiteman's exercise evaluation teams were major players in the success of the wing.

"The expertise and knowledge of our EET is unmatched," the major said.

In addition to Whiteman being inspected, the ACC IG team was being evaluated by the Air Force Inspection Agency, an event that takes place once ever three NSI inspections.

AFIA ensured the IG team was properly conducting the JNSI and acted as a liaison between the IG and the DTRA teams. As a result, the IG team tends to conduct a more thorough inspection of the wing's programs, the major added.

A potential obstacle for the inspection came in the form of a reported 13 inches of snow that halted base operations Friday and threatened the possibility of extending the JNSI.

This possible hindrance only turned into an opportunity for Team Whiteman to excel, he said.

Through herculean efforts by Airmen who were out shoveling snow and salting sidewalks, the JNSI team was able to resume inspecting by noon Friday and completed 50 percent of the scheduled tasks, he said.

The remaining day's tasks were accomplished Sunday, allowing the inspection to remain on schedule.

"That's a testament to those not directly involved with the inspection.

"People showed their Whiteman team spirit by doing what they do best, getting the job done."

The weather could have extended the inspection, but the ability Team Whiteman allowed the IG team to complete their inspections on schedule.

In fact, the DTRA team was able to complete their inspection and leave one day early.

"This is the most solid unit I've ever inspected, both Air Force and Navy," the DTRA team chief said.

At Wednesday's post JNSI party at Mission's End, Brig. Gen. Greg Biscone, 509th Bomb Wing commander, complimented and thanked Whiteman members for their hardwork and success during the inspection.

"Compared to the standards you are absolutely outstanding," General Biscone. "Compared to your peers, I can stand here and say that there is none finer."