Photo By Senior Airman Sarah McKernan | The 106th Rescue Wing Logistic Readiness Squadron poses for a group photo following an...... read more read more
Subscribe
FRANCIS S. GABRESKI AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y.— In alignment with recent Air Force directives emphasizing the importance of dress and appearance standards, the New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing conducted a series of open ranks inspections to reinforce discipline and readiness among its Airmen during the wing’s March drill.
The inspections were held to ensure that Airmen are complying with uniform and appearance regulations.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has emphasized the importance of discipline and accountability throughout the military as key components of readiness and operational effectiveness.
"Our standards will be high, uncompromising, and clear,” Hegseth said in his January 2025 message to the Pentagon. “The strength of our military is our unity and our shared purpose. We will revive the warrior ethos and restore trust in our military. We are American warriors. We will defend our country.”
Senior Master Sgt. John McGee, first sergeant of the 106th Headquarters Element, emphasized that uniform discipline is fundamental to fostering unity across all ranks.
"Uniform discipline is the foundation of mission success and the cornerstone of Air Force standards," McGee said. "It fosters unity, precision, and accountability—ensuring every Airman operates with excellence regardless of the challenge.”
The Department of the Air Force recently republished its dress and personal appearance instruction (DAFI 36-2903) to simplify, clarify, and amplify many changes for Airmen and Guardians worldwide.
Gen. David W. Allvin, chief of staff of the Air Force, said discipline and accountability are critical to maintaining a cohesive and effective fighting force. He highlighted how adherence to standards reflects a shared commitment to mission success.
"Never forget that discipline and accountability are, and always will be, the backbone of an effective and lethal fighting force," Allvin said. "Complying with and enforcing standards demonstrates shared commitment to our winning team, as well as an understanding of the gravity of our profession in today's volatile security environment."
The initiative began on Feb. 2, 2025, with the 106th Mission Support Group's Force Support Squadron leading the way. On March 7, 2025, the 106th Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) conducted their inspection within the logistics warehouse on base.
The Headquarters Element conducted their inspections on March 8, 2025, with Wing Commander Col. Jeffrey D. Cannet and senior leadership stepping forward as the first to be inspected.
Mr. Charles Mercurio, the 106th Inspector General director of inspections, said there are positive results from maintaining uniform standards.
"These inspections are in direct response to observations from Air Force senior leadership regarding a decline in uniform standards," Mercurio said. "Such lapses have been identified as factors that can adversely affect readiness, morale, and discipline."
Mercurio also drew historical parallels to World War II by referencing Gen. George S. Patton’s leadership during his time commanding U.S. forces in North Africa.
"When Gen. Patton took command in North Africa during World War II, one of his first observations was a lack of discipline and attention to uniform standards," Mercurio said. "Patton understood that correcting these seemingly small details directly improved morale, cohesion, and combat effectiveness—ultimately transforming his troops into a highly disciplined and effective fighting force."
Patton’s insistence on strict adherence to uniform regulations transformed his forces into one of the most agile and effective fighting units of the war, Mercurio added.
"History shows us that attention to detail in uniforms isn’t trivial—it’s foundational to building trust, cohesion, and readiness within a unit,” Mercurio said.
Maj. Joel Hansard, commander of the 106th Logistics Readiness Squadron, said that maintaining high standards fosters professionalism and operational readiness.
Hansard explained that upholding dress and appearance standards through these inspections reinforces discipline essential to operational effectiveness while demonstrating pride in both the unit and its mission.
The 106th Rescue Wing, based at Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in Westhampton Beach, New York, operates and maintains the HC-130J Combat King II search and rescue aircraft, and the HH-60W Jolly Green II search and rescue helicopter. The 106th Rescue Wing is home to a special warfare squadron with pararescuemen and combat rescue officers, specializing in rescue and recovery, and deploys for domestic and overseas operations.
| Date Taken: | 03.08.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.19.2025 14:44 |
| Story ID: | 492563 |
| Location: | WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 69 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 106th Rescue Wing Reinforces Readiness Through Inspections, by TSgt Kevin Donaldson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
