Iceman Team earns 'excellent' rating during inspection Published Sept. 25, 2013 By Staff Sgt. Kirsten Wicker 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The 354th Fighter Wing recently earned an 'excellent' rating following a readiness exercise and consolidated unit inspection under the reinvented Air Force inspection system Sept. 9 to 20. The inspection consisted of two parts, the first of which Airmen had to demonstrate a knowledge of and proficiency in emergency and crisis management and self-aid and buddy care. The second portion consisted of a review by inspectors of procedures and checklists, verifying compliance within each individual unit. Eielson is the first installation in Pacific Air Forces to be inspected under the new system. "The Iceman Team has faced many challenges this year, through the furloughs, RED FLAG-Alaska exercises and the PACAF inspection. We've risen to meet all of them, setting the bar high along the way," said Brig. Gen. Mark Kelly, 354th FW commander. "You should all be extremely proud of the 'excellent' rating and of all the hard work you've put in throughout the year." Teams throughout the base earned recognition for outstanding performance, including the 354th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's 18th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, the 354th Force Support Squadron unit readiness section, the 354th FW commander's inspection program team, the 354th Logistics Readiness Squadron logistics plans, the 354th Maintenance Squadron munitions operations section, the 354th Operations Support Squadron control tower A crew, and the 354th Security Forces Squadron installation control team. "General Kelly, Colonel Aanrud and I couldn't be more proud of the incredible effort and enthusiasm from our Airmen," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffery Brown, 354th FW command chief. "It has been a challenging and busy year for the Iceman Team, and we should all be proud of the well-earned 'excellent' rating for the inspection." Inspection team members agreed the Iceman Team did a great job during the inspection and Airmen should be proud of the accomplishment. "The program Eielson has in place is solid," said Col. David G. Van der Veer, PACAF inspector general. "Readiness has always been on the forefront here and it has been communicated. I believe everyone understands the importance of having a focus on mission execution and readiness." The new inspection cycle is expected to run every 24 to 30 months, improving overall mission capabilities and putting the responsibility for training, readiness, capability and compliance on the wing-level leadership to accomplish. A PACAF IG report with detailed inspection results will be released at a later date.