Kadena welcomes PACAF IG team for UCI Published July 31, 2009 By 18th Wing Public Affairs KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- After months of anticipation, the 18th Wing stands ready to welcome Pacific Air Force's Inspector General for the unit compliance inspection. This Sunday, the more than 140-person IG team will arrive from Hawaii to begin a week-long assessment of Kadena that includes an emergency response exercise. Kadena Shoguns are prepared for the opportunity to showcase their units to the visitors. "There is no doubt that gearing up for an inspection is a base-wide effort," said Lt. Col. Joel Cook, 18th Wing director of plans and programs, and Kadena's point-man for the inspection. "The purpose of an inspection is not to find fault, but to evaluate our processes to ensure operations function in the most efficient manner possible. Constant review of how we conduct business is critical for finding new and innovative ways to improve Kadena as a whole." During the UCI, inspectors will evaluate common core compliance based on Defense Department, Air Force and AETC instructions and rated each unit with grades of outstanding, excellent, satisfactory, marginal or unsatisfactory. Last year, Kadena completed an Operational Readiness Inspection, and it is not uncommon to hear the word "outstanding" when referring to Kadena units. "Every Shogun has been working diligently to ensure we are going to put our best foot forward during this inspection, while continuing to perform the colossal mission here at Kadena," Lt. Col. Cook added. "We try to do the right thing every day here; the only thing different next week is that someone will be watching us do it."