Kirtland raises the NSI bar: NWC receives highest rating possible in NSI

  • Published
  • By Sheila Rupp
  • Nucleus
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, NEW MEXICO --  The inspectors are gone and the results are in: satisfactory.

The Nuclear Weapons Center here underwent a Nuclear Surety Inspection last week and received this rating, the highest overall grade given, in an NSI.

Members of the 498th Armament Systems Wing and the 377th Air Base Wing were on hand Monday to hear Col. John Hill, 377th ABW inspector general, announce the satisfactory grade, which brought on a blast of air horns, cheers and applause. Col. Terrence Feehan, NWC commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Paul Sikora, NWC command chief master sergeant, presented certificates to outstanding teams and individual performers.

"Our NWC mission is critical to the nation. The NSI was our test to validate our professional skill and dedication to surety, and last week we did that, as we do each and every day," Colonel Feehan said.

After the announcement of the satisfactory grade, personnel participated in a burger burn to celebrate. A DJ played music while proud and relieved personnel ate burgers and hot dogs with all the trimmings.

The 896th Munitions Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev., which falls under the 498th ARSW also earned a "Satisfactory" in their Joint NSI in December.

"You should all be very proud of what you've accomplished; you have set the bar very high for future inspections. Never have I seen such scores, it just doesn't happen," Colonel Feehan said.