576th Flight Test Squadron recieves high score during AF Space Command IG inspection
By Airman 1st Class Erica Stewart, 30th Space Wing Public Affairs
/ Published January 18, 2007
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 576th Flight Test Squadron here successfully completed a week long Air Force Space Command weapons safety inspection Tuesday.
The Inspector General tested the squadron's ability to handle munitions and non-nuclear warheads as well as the execution of pre-launch operations.
"The Squadron improved upon our 2005 IG inspection across the board," said Lt. Col. Stephen Davis, 576th FLTS commander. "For this year's inspection we earned an overall rating of satisfactory, which is the highest grade possible, and we were outstanding in launch control procedures and condition of stockpile and facilities."
The 576th FLTS has over 600 individual line items ranging from various types of bullets, smoke grenades and flares to land mines.
"Our current count is over $662,000 in munitions; 99 percent of our stockpile is for support of 30th Space Wing operations," Colonel Davis said.
In total, the 576th FLTS has 27 custody accounts, mostly within the 30th SW, with a total value of $29 million.
Being in charge of a stockpile carrying such an extraordinary dollar amount requires maintaining the inspection standard on a daily basis.
"This inspection mirrored our daily operations," Colonel Davis said. "We won the Air Force award for outstanding unit and to have the IG. roll in on the heels of that, the expectations were high and the Airmen that we have here responded marvelously."