Sabers ace UCI Published June 16, 2009 By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore 52nd Fight Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Sabers from across the base packed the theater awaiting the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Inspector General team's announcement of the final grade for Spangdahlem Air Base's unit compliance inspection June 16 - "Excellent." The 52nd Fighter Wing UCI was conducted in two parts. A majority of non-maintenance areas, as well as several geographically separated units, were inspected earlier this year. This final phase of the UCI, conducted June 8-12, primarily involved the 52nd MXG and the 702nd MUNSS while some other areas across the wing were re-inspected. The highly anticipated results were met with loud applause and cheers -- the 702nd Munitions Support Squadron at Buchel Air Base, Germany nabbed a "satisfactory" rating, the 52nd Maintenance Group received an overall "excellent" rating and the 52nd Fighter Wing earned an overall final UCI rating of "excellent." The 52nd MXG ratings broke down with the 52nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 52nd Component Maintenance Squadron, 52nd Equipment Maintenance Squadron and 52nd Maintenance Operations Squadron all receiving an "excellent" rating. "It almost feels like we are actually members of the 52nd Fighter Wing because you are in fact the most inspected wing in the Air Force," said Lt. Col. Jeffery Sloan, USAFE Inspector General inspection team member. "We always enjoy coming back to the 52nd FW for a couple of reasons. First we always receive such great support when we come here, whether we are here at the main base or a GSU and we appreciate that. Another reason we like coming back, and even more importantly, is the great attitudes that we always see in the 52nd FW members." The fact that this inspection went very well was no small feat according to Colonel Sloan. "This was a tough inspection," he said. "I don't care what anybody says -- maintenance is the toughest job in the Air Force. You all are professional; you have a lot to be proud of. It is a very important mission you are accomplishing here for the Air Force and for your country." Col. Lee T. Wight, 52nd Fighter Wing commander, was very pleased with his maintenance team's performance. "Sabers, my hat is off to you," he said. "I honestly could not be prouder of each and every single one of you. I know we have a lot of tired folks; you guys have flat busted your humps. We could not have thrown more obstacles at one group. If we think of where we were a year ago and to sit here and see that you clean sweeped -- you all did the best of any group. Every single squadron in the group got an excellent overall." Even though the inspection is over Sabers were reminded they should not slack, but to continue their hard work. "We will be back," Colonel Sloan said. Awards of Excellence Airman 1st Class Crystal Carper, 52nd EMS Master Sgt. Yara Mitchell, 52nd Communications Squadron Senior Airman Erin Rutherford, 52nd CS Weapons Safety Staff, 702nd MUNSS Pat on the Back Awards Senior Airman Thomas Dodson, 52nd EMS Staff Sgt. Louis Dymon, 52nd EMS Senior Airman Caleb Evans, 52nd CMS Airman 1st Class Spring Freerksen, 52nd EMS Tech. Sgt. Ted Hackler, 52nd AMXS Tech. Sgt. Michael Lopez, 52nd AMXS Master Sgt. Wade Miller, 52nd CMS Senior Airman Jose Ritua, 52nd MXG Tech. Sgt. Shawn Stewart, 52nd AMXS Airman 1st Class Olden Thames, 52nd EMS Staff Sgt. Amy Zuniga, 702nd MUNSS 81st Aircraft Maintenance Unit Supply Element, 52nd AMXS 81st AMU Weapons Load Team 14, 52nd AMXS Armament Flight Support Section, 52nd EMS Conventional Maintenance Support Section, 52nd EMS Maintenance Support Liaison, 52nd MOS Munitions Control Element, 52nd EMS Munitions Equipment Maintenance Element, 52nd EMS Munitions Inspection Element, 52nd EMS Precision Guided Munitions Element, 52nd EMS