58th prepares for operational readiness inspection Published May 22, 2007 By Sheila Rupp Nucleus Journalist KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico -- The 58th Special Operations Wing is gearing up for what will be the largest single inspection in 58th SOW history in June. A team of 85 inspectors from Air Education and Training Command will arrive June 17 to conduct an operational readiness inspection of the programs, processes and procedures at the 58th SOW, as well as other major command-level inspections. The inspection will focus on how effectively, efficiently and safely the 58th SOW accomplishes its assigned missions and responsibilities, as well as compliance with laws, instructions and regulations. "This inspection is really a triple threat combining operational readiness, aircrew standardization and evaluation, maintenance standardization and evaluation, and unit compliance inspections into one 10-day event," said Lt. Col. Alex Carothers of the 58th SOW. The June inspection will be a combination of the operational readiness inspection, aircrew standardization and evaluation, maintenance standardization and evaluation, and unit compliance inspection that are typically conducted over a 24-month timeframe. The MAJCOM-level inspections were consolidated in order to keep costs down. Colonel Carothers said the broad nature of the inspection has been a challenge because the 58th SOW is a large tenant unit and most of its programs are tied to or are the responsibility of the 377th Air Base Wing or AETC Headquarters agencies. In preparation for the inspection, the 58th SOW conducted three operational readiness exercises, and 42 focus area teams, consisting of subject matter experts in more than 100 areas, spent the last six months cleaning up wing processes. Aside from an influx of personnel in billeting, the inspection will have a minimal impact on base operations, Colonel Carothers said. The 58th SOW last completed an ORI in July 2004 when the wing earned a "Satisfactory" rating.