By SSGT Bill Nicholls

--Camp Blanding, Florida—“REDHORSE--the Gators got nothing on you!  Zero areas that did not comply!   You did an awesome job, and the Adjutant General will let the Governor know about this!”—that was the assessment today of Brigadier General Joseph Balskus on a Unit Compliance Inspection completed this week on the 202^nd RED HORSE Squadron.  General Balskus (Commander of the Florida Air Guard) said RHS had “zero areas that did not comply!  Only one other time in RED HORSE history did they have a RED HORSE unit that had zero areas that did not comply—and that was TEN years ago!  The signage, landscaping, foyer with the big screen television, attitude, and most important of all—the heart—it all counted.  I’m proud of each and every one of you!”

 For 108 “mandays,” eighteen U.S.A.F. inspectors and eight observers evaluated the RED HORSE in Logistics, Supply, Vehicle Maintenance, Services, as well as many other areas.  202^nd RHS Commander Colonel Jack Paschal said RED HORSE performance was “outstanding.  We had zero ‘does not comply’…and no findings.”  (Does not comply/”findings” would have been areas not in compliance and/or significant deficiencies.)  Colonel Paschal said the UCI team “dug very, very hard.  The average RED HORSE unit has about six DNC (does not comply) areas.  We had zero.  The UCI team evaluated everything.  They dug, dug, and dug some more.  They checked compliance with Air Force rules and regulations, as well as domestic laws and public laws.  Unit Compliance Inspections serve a purpose, because they force us to be in compliance with rules and regulations, which we always try to do, of course—but there are always little nuggets they see, because they’re the experts in that field.  We did extremely well for one reason: Team!  It’s always the team.”

Operations Chief Douglas Gilbert said comments he received from Inspectors all had a consistent theme: “Remarkable!  Best we’ve seen in ten years!  Obvious preparation, great attitude!”  Chief Gilbert said an additional positive factor was that “when UCI team members went out on the RED HORSE compound, every Airman was engaged, motivated, working—pouring concrete, building a wall—it was all good stuff, and this was a very rigorous UCI!”

Logistics Chief Larry Linton thanked all RED HORSE members for the hard work they demonstrated during the UCI, and reaffirmed feedback from the Inspectors: “They said all our personnel were very professional, and added the difference from other units they’ve inspected was like night and day.”

Four RED HORSE Teams and Seven RHS Airmen were selected as Superior Performers.  Team winners included: Civil Engineer Operations Team, Demolition Team, Logistics Team, and Vehicle Maintenance Team.  Individual winners: MSgt Christopher S. Liston, MSgt Jeffrey L. Stanley, TSgt Joshua R. Crews, TSgt Bryan A. Fletcher, TSgt Andrew D. Richardson, SSgt Monica B. Real, and SSgt Jessica M. Blydenburgh.

SSGT Mark Van Kleek (on rake) and SSGT Kevin Barfield (on screed) assist in a "concrete pour" at the 202nd RED HORSE compound at Camp Blanding during an August 2009 Unit Compliance Inspection, while UCI Team Chief Colonel Mark Moore and UCI Team Members MSGT Shane Rogers and Lt.Col. Erik Lagerquist evaluate the operation.  Colonel Moore stated the 202nd RED HORSE did "very, very well" in the Unit Compliance Inspection.

202nd RED HORSE SMSGT James Householder (Facilities Manager) gets a "Thumbs Up!" from Brigadier General Joseph Balskus, during an August 2009 Unit Compliance Inspection at RED HORSE.  SMSGT James Householder also serves as Structural Superintendent.  UCI Team Chief Colonel Mark Moore said RED HORSE did "very, very well" in the Unit Compliance Inspection.

U.S.A.F. Colonel Mark Moore thanks members of the 202nd RED HORSE Squadron for their hard work and enthusiasm during an August 2009 Unit Compliance Inspection at RED HORSE.  Colonel Moore (F-16 pilot based at Langley AFB) served as the U.C.I. Team Chief, and stated RED HORSE did "very, very well" in the U.C.I.  202nd RHS Commander Colonel Jack Paschal (left) said his unit's success was thanks to "Team!  It's always the team."

Col. Jack Paschal (far left) and General Joseph Balskus (far right) provide flank security for Superior Performers in the 202nd RED HORSE Unit Compliance Inspection: (from left): SSGT Jessica Blydenburgh, TSGT Bryan Fletcher, MSGT Jeffrey Stanley, MSGT Christopher Liston, SSGT Monica Real.  Not pictured: TSGT Andrew Richardson, TSGT Joshua Crews.

Last update: Tuesday, 11 August 2009

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