What to expect from Kadena UEI

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Stephen G. Eigel
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Kadena Air Base is scheduled to have a unit effectiveness inspection Jan. 26-30.

This biennial inspection evaluates readiness, economy, efficiency and the state of discipline for the 18th Wing.

Approximately 50 Pacific Air Forces inspectors will be coming to Kadena and roughly 10 percent of the base will be interviewed.

"Airmen who participate in the ATIS sessions will be asked questions about health and welfare, how you do your job, how you live your life and what it's like to be an Airman in your job, good, bad, or otherwise," said Maj. Daniel Uger, 18th Wing director of wing inspections. "They are looking for frank observations of how you do your job, how your leadership is and how the wing is doing. They will either ask you individually or in a group of up to 17 people, and they are trying to get a snapshot of what it's like here at the 18th Wing."

Uger said the Airmen to inspector general sessions will happen in beginning of the UEI, and the individuals who will take part are in the process of being identified. The sessions are scheduled like a normal appointment and are mandatory if selected. If someone is chosen to go they will know ahead of time.

Although the UEI will encompass parts of the wings mission, it is not the same as a mission focused exercise.

"There will be no activities like the MFE - no gas masks, no sirens going off, no crazy shift hours, it is going to be just like normal ops," Lt. Col. Chad Cook, 18th Wing inspector general said.

Maj. Joe Schmitt, 18th Wing inspection planner, said that the Airmen at Kadena just need to be a class act as they always are; fighting tonight to win tomorrow.

"Airmen don't have to do anything different, the things they need to make sure they do are wearing the uniform correctly, having their hair cut and saluting when they are supposed to," said Schmitt.

A smaller team was here in September for an on-site visit where they went around to different sections and it will be the same kind of process. The inspection will gauge how effective Kadena is at performing the mission of providing unmatched combat power, a forward power projection platform and for the common defense of Japan.