SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The South Dakota Air National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing earned Air Combat Command’s first overall “highly effective” grade during a recent Unit Effectiveness Inspection at Joe Foss Field, June 19-23.

The UEI is part of the newly implemented Air Force Inspection System, aimed at giving wing commanders more power to self-assess their unit’s effectiveness. The five-day UEI event is intended to validate and verify the commander’s program.

“Our ultimate goal is to be in a continuous, steady state of operation and improvement,” said Col. Russ Walz, 114th commander. “Inspections are continuously done by our own wing inspection staff.

Periodically, ACC will stop in and validate our programs.”

Air Combat Command sent 57 inspectors from across the Air Force to evaluate four major graded areas of importance: managing resources, leading people, improving the unit and executing the mission. In addition to the unit receiving an overall UEI grade, individuals and teams from the 114th also received recognition for superior performance.

The 114th netted 57 individual superior performers and seven superior performance teams.

“I couldn’t be any more proud of our Airmen,” said Walz. “To be the first ACC active duty, Guard or Reserve unit to receive a ‘highly effective’ rating certainly reflects the professional force that we have in the unit.”

This most recent inspection confirmed that the members of the South Dakota Air National Guard continue their heritage of excellence in serving the state and nation.

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High resolution photos are available at www.flikr.com/photos/southdakotanationalguard