IG protects Air Force integrity, excellence

  • Published
  • By Col. John Williams
  • 349th Air Mobility Wing Vice Commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  When you find a duty area that needs improvement or are having difficulties in the workplace, turn first to your chain of command. The chain cannot operate properly to address your concern without awareness of the problem.

When the chain is unresponsive or unable to address that concern, the Inspector General is a valuable resource. General Hoyt Vandenberg, former Air Force Chief of Staff, established the Air Force IG function in 1948. He outlined the IG's mission as: determining the combat and logistic effectiveness of the Air Force, ensuring the maintenance of discipline and security and investigating matters involving crime and other violations of public trust.

The Air Force IG Complaints Program indicates where command involvement is needed to ensure resources are used effectively and efficiently, resolves problems affecting the mission, creates an atmosphere of trust in which issues can be resolved without fear of reprisal and assists in instilling confidence in Air Force leadership.

The IG is the "eyes and ears" of the commander by ensuring the existence of responsive complaint investigations and objective Fraud Waste and Abuse programs. It keeps the commander informed of potential areas of concern, acts as the fact-finder and honest broker in complaint resolution, educates and trains commanders and the base population on their rights and responsibilities in regard to the Air Force IG system and helps commanders prevent, detect and correct FWA and mismanagement.

Complaints and FWA disclosures help commanders discover and correct problems that affect productivity and morale. Resolving the underlying cause of a complaint may prevent more severe symptoms or costly consequences, such as reduced performance, accidents, poor work quality, poor morale or loss of resources.

Even though allegations may not be substantiated, the evidence or investigation findings may reveal systemic morale or other problems that impede efficiency and mission effectiveness. When needed, use your IG as a valuable tool that assists us all in the performance of the Air Force mission.