Senior Airman Fawndana Estelle-Babian, a personnelist part of Yokota Air Base's Noncombative Evacuation Office, operates the NEO Tracking System during the Samurai Readiness Inspection March 3, 2014. The evacuation simulation tested Yokota's NEO staff on proper procedure in the case of a voluntary evacuation. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — Yokota’s 374th Airlift Wing completed the Samurai Readiness Inspection, part of the Air Force’s new way of testing its capabilities.
The new inspection system lets commanders decide if their units are up to speed, and if not, how to make the necessary improvements. The commander is then held accountable to those decisions.
Col. Mark August, the 374th Airlift Wing commander, said the new inspection rules offered a more flexible and less expensive way of judging readiness.
"We’re going to save money by not doing that,” he said . “I’m setting the priorities and I’m setting the inspection goals, so that’s exactly what I’m looking at how I can maintain readiness.”
August said he expects the new inspection system will help identify where commanders will have to accept more risk to maintain readiness as the Air Force prepares to draw down its size.
This week’s inspection evaluated airmen in 90 different scenarios, ranging from a sexual assault to a chemical attack. Scenarios ran 24 hours a day with each airman pulling 14-hour shifts.
“We train our guys to follow the protocol and to learn the manual. But we also teach them that sometimes it won’t always work like the book,” said Tech Sgt. Jonathan Cooley of Camp Springs, Md. “It doesn’t matter how many inspections you have or what simulated scenario comes up, as long as I convince my guys to treat everyone with the respect and care they deserve, they will always do well.”
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Senior Airman Fawndana Estelle-Babian, a personnelist part of Yokota Air Base's Noncombative Evacuation Office, operates the NEO Tracking System during the Samurai Readiness Inspection March 3, 2014. The evacuation simulation tested Yokota's NEO staff on proper procedure in the case of a voluntary evacuation. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
A firefighter from the Yokota Fire Department escorts an aircrewman assigned to the 374th Airlift from the scene of a simulated C-130 Hercules crash at Yokota Air Base March 3, 2014 during the Samurai Readiness Inspection. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
An airman from the 374th Airlift assesses simulated injuries in triage during the Samurai Readiness Inspection at Yokota Air Base March 3, 2014. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
Airman from the 374th Airlift Medical Group lift another airman with simulated injuries into an ambulance during the Samurai Readiness Inspection March 3, 2014 at Yokota Air Base. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
Firemen from the Yokota Fire Department check each others protective equipment before fighting a fire from a simulted Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device during the Samurai Readiness Inspection at Yokota Air Base March 4, 2014. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
A fireman from the Yokota Fire Department stands in preparation to help fight a fire from a simulted Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device during the Samurai Readiness Inspection at Yokota Air Base March 4, 2014. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
An airman from the 374th Airlift dons chemical protective wear in response to a simulated chemical warfare attack at Yokota Air Base during the base's Samurai Readiness Inspection March 5, 2014. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
An airman from the 374th Airlift waits for deconamination following a simulated chemical warfare attack at Yokota Air Base during the base's Samurai Readiness Inspection March 5, 2014. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
An airman from the 374th Airlift waits for deconamination following a simulated chemical warfare attack at Yokota Air Base during the base's Samurai Readiness Inspection March 5, 2014. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
Airman 1st Class Angelika Maldonado-Matlega, 374th Logistics Readiness Suadron individual protective equipment technician, inspects gas masks at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 28, 2014. 374 LRS Airmen are responsible for all IPE used by Yokota Airmen during exercises and real-world contingencies. (Stacy Moless/US Air Force)
Senior Airman Ronald Sloane, 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protective equipment technician, inspects helmet covers in preperation for Yokota's upcoming Samurai Readiness Inspection at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 28, 2014. 374 LRS Airmen are responsible for all IPE used by Yokota Airmen during exercises and real-world contingencies. (Stacy Moless/US Air Force)
Airman 1st Class Stephen Tessier, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and 2nd Luetent Melody Beidler, 730th Air Moblity Squadron, get their Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear in preperation for Yokota’s upcoming Samurai Readiness Inspection at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 28, 2014. The MOPP gear used to protect members in hazardous environments, such as during a chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear attack. (Stacy Moless/US Air Force)
Senior Airman lamon Irvin, 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protective equipment technician, issues Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 28, 2014. 374 LRS Airmen are responsible for all IPE used by Yokota Airmen during exercises and real-world contingencies. (Stacy Moless/US Air Force)
Senior Airman lamon Irvin, 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protective equipment technician, issues Mission Oriented Protective Posture gear at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Feb. 28, 2014. 374 LRS Airmen are responsible for all IPE used by Yokota Airmen during exercises and real-world contingencies. (Stacy Moless/US Air Force)
Airman 1st Class Anthony Trim a crew chief, 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron performs a prop oil service check on a C-130 hercules Mar. 3, 2014 during a Samurai Readiness Inspection at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Maintainers were tested on their skills to provide safe and ready support during simulated contingencies. (Desiree Economides/US Air Force)
Senior Airman Alvin Porter, customs immigration inspector with the 374th Force Support Squadron briefs simulated non-combatant evacuees during a Samurai Readiness Inspection Mar. 3, 2014, at the Taiyo Community Center at Yokota Air Base, Japan. As the mobility hub of the Western Pacific, Yokota may be called upon to support regional non-combatant evacuation operations in the event of a crisis. Inspections like this ensure the base's readiness to carry out its mission. (Desiree Economides/US Air Force)
Airmen inspect and evaluate the size and weight of a cargo during the Samurai Readiness Inspection at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 4, 2014. The readiness inspection is designed to help Yokota Airmen hone their skills through a series of training scenarios, events and exercises. (Soo C. Kim/US Air Force)
Airmen from the 730th Air Mobility Squadron prepare cargo for deployment during a Samurai Readiness Inspection at Yokota Air base, Japan, March 4, 2014. The inspection was designed to evaluate Yokota's ability to perform provide airlift capabilities through a variety of contingency response scenarios. (Raymond Geoffroy/US Air Force)
An airman dons his aircrew chemical defense ensemble during the Samurai Readiness Inspection week, ensuring the base is ready to defend and deter enemy aggresion. (David Danford/US Air Force)
Airman 1st Class Brandon Miller, 374th Civil Engineer Squadron uses a radio wearing his mission-oriented protective posture gear at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 6, 2014. Yokota is continuing their week-long Samurai Readiness Inspection, where they are being tested to perform under the challenging scenarios such as a chemical warfare attack. (David Danford/US Air Force)
A firefighter from the Yokota Fire Department escorts an air crewman assigned to the 374th Airlift from the scene of a simulated C-130 Hercules crash at Yokota Air Base March 3, 2014 during the Samurai Readiness Inspection. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
Two firemen from the Yokota Fire Department tend to the simulated injuries of an airman assigned to the 374th Airlift during the Samurai Readiness Insepction at Yokota Air Base March 3, 2014. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
Firemen from the Yokota Fire Department tend to the simulated injuries of an airman assigned to the 374th Airlift during the Samurai Readiness Insepction at Yokota Air Base March 3, 2014. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
Yokota Air Base first responders have their capabilities tested at a simulated C-130 Hercules crash on base during the Samurai Readiness Inspection March 3, 2013. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
An airman from the 374th Airlift waits in triage to have his simulated injuries assessed during the Samurai Readiness Inspection at Yokota Air Base on March 3, 2014. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
An airman from the 374th Airlift Wing Inspection Team operates a fog machine in preparation for a simulted Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device during the Samurai Readiness Inspection at Yokota Air Base on March 4, 2014. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
Firemen from the Yokota Fire Department fight a fire from a simulted Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device during the Samurai Readiness Inspection at Yokota Air Base on March 4, 2014. (James Kimber/Stars and Stripes)
