58th SOW: “We’re ready” Published June 18, 2010 By Maj Bob Ross 58th Special Operations Wing Kirtland Air Force Base, NM -- Everyone has heard that we should learn from our mistakes so we don't repeat them. We can also learn from the mistakes and successes of others. That's the message 58th Special Operations Wing commander Col. Eric Kivi is giving to base leadership and staff as Kirtland prepares for the arrival of the Air Education and Training Command Inspector General. The IG team will conduct a unit compliance inspection of the 58th SOW from June 20-29. Colonel Kivi said the inspection will validate the work the 58th SOW accomplishes on a daily basis. "The UCI will be a great opportunity for us to find out how well we are complying with Air Force and AETC policies and instructions," he said. "We know we're getting the mission done and done safely. The UCI will tell us whether we're getting the mission done right, the way the Air Force wants us to." Airmen of the 58th SOW have taken a proactive approach to the UCI, beginning more than a year ago. "Our preparations have focused on ensuring we know the Air Force guidance, analyzing our programs and performance to identify where we might fall short of Air Force expectations, and making any corrections to ensure we're adhering to the Air Force guidance in the future. We've also looked at other units on Kirtland, and other AETC wings, to see what we can learn" Colonel Kivi said. After reading reports from as far back as 1999, Major Bob Ross, the 58th SOW's UCI point of contact, said the wing is better prepared now than it has ever been. "The Airmen, civilians and contractors in the 58th SOW produce an outstanding product. We have been preparing a long time for this inspection, and now is the time for all of our efforts to be recognized. This inspection is going to validate what we already know: the 58th SOW produces excellence in all we do," he said.