125th's alert detachment proves its mettle during recent inspection

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Thomas Kielbasa
  • FLNG Public Affairs
The Florida Air National Guard's southernmost unit is also being recognized as one of the Air Force's most outstanding units, following a recent inspection by NORAD. --  Detachment 1, 125th Fighter Wing, based at Homestead Air Reserve Base near Miami, was evaluated during a no-notice Fighter Alert Force Evaluation on April 18, and inspectors determined the unit's overall rating to be "Mission Ready."
The inspection found the F-15 Eagle unit's performance to be "above average,"
and pointed to the areas of maintenance and aircraft-employment as "outstanding."
This week Florida National Guard leaders - including Adjutant General of Florida Maj. Gen. Emmett Titshaw Jr. - visited the detachment to personally laud the Airmen for their NORAD inspection results.
"This was such an outstanding performance - one that has made the entire Florida National Guard proud," Titshaw told the Airmen during his visit on May 16. " "This was very realistic and challenging for the pilots, for the maintainers, and all those who support here...Outstanding work!"
Det. 1 Commander Lt. Col. James Spooner echoed the general's accolades, calling the inspection's results one of the "cleanest looking reports" he has seen in a while.
"I'm extremely proud of the team members," he said. "The people at the detachment, together with maintenance and operations out of Jacksonville, knocked this one completely out of the park."
The NORAD inspection evaluated the detachment on several areas relating to its alert mission, including quality of aircraft, weapons systems reliability and maintenance support. Two of the detachment's Airmen were named as "superior performers" during the evaluation: Tech. Sgt. Cassandra Freer and Staff Sgt. Nicholas Ramsey were both singled out for their contributions to helping the unit score well.
Det. 1's Chief Enlisted Manager Senior Master Sgt. Eddie Diaz said the results show how seriously his Airmen at the detachment take their mission of providing no-notice alert support for the entire Southeastern United States.
"This is a professional organization that takes its mission seriously," Diaz said. "As a supervisor I couldn't be happier with the people working down here. They are mission-oriented, they know their jobs, and they know what's at stake. I'm fortunate and proud to have these individuals working with me."

He noted that the detachment's success on the evaluation was a result of hard work by both his Airmen and the unit's parent organization in Jacksonville - the 125th Fighter Wing: "They make the mission happen just as much as we do down here."