HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- If you have participated in a wing inspection you may be familiar with the Wing Inspection Team, it’s very possible that your coworker or immediate boss donned the blue reflective vest with the letters WIT on the back. Did you ask yourself what WIT is and how those members were selected for the position?
Governed by Air Force Instruction 90-201, “The Air Force Inspection System and the Commanders Inspection Program,” the WIT inspects and educates to inspire mission readiness for the 482nd Fighter Wing.
“WIT members augment for the Inspector General Inspections office, under the authority of the 482nd Fighter Wing commander,” said Master Sgt. Robert Avery, the 482nd FW emergency management planner. “They are subject matter experts who identify operational pitfalls during inspections, but ultimately are vital in their unit’s success.”
Straightforward and unbiased feedback is provided to commanders during inspections regarding their respective units. Homestead’s WIT contains over 130 personnel total. However, the IGI’s focus currently is to improve the number of their lead WIT members.
The Air Force has transitioned to a mission ready objective and retired its inspection ready initiatives.
“The Air Force changed this mentality into ‘mission ready equals inspection ready’ and it has been rewarding to be a part of the change,” said Avery.
Evaluations during inspections include managing resources, executing the mission, leading people, and improving the unit as a whole. Once feedback from each WIT is assessed, the commanders rate the findings as a unit strength, recommended improvement area or deficiency.
According to the IGI team, the WIT program tackles real world situations in a controlled environment providing the opportunity for Airmen to acknowledge any inaccuracies and refining those methods.
The WIT are trained by the IGI. The IG duty is a position of high public trust and the WIT members selected are those who possess attributes of the highest professional standards, moral character and adherence to the Air Force Core Values.
“WIT members are the best and brightest from all organization's throughout the Wing," said Col Troy Vonada, the 482nd FW inspector general. “They are a special breed, selected for their ability to get the job done in a professional, objective and overall effective manner.”
Homestead’s IGI office continues its efforts with the WIT in ascertaining innovative ways to empower Airmen in developing mission ready procedures to remain the World’s Greatest Fighter Wing.
Contact the IGI office to gain more insight in becoming a WIT member, (786) 415-6692.