New IG hits ground running

Published May 13, 2013
By Senior Airman Jami K. Lancette
434th ARW Public Affairs

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Ready to help Airmen, Grissom's new inspector general said she's going to hit the ground running.

Col. Kathryn Russel took over as inspector general May 3 and brought with her wide-ranging knowledge and experience to help her get the job done.

The primary mission of an Air Force IG is to enhance their organization's discipline, readiness and war fighting capability by alerting commanders to systemic issues affecting the organization.

To accomplish this, an IG manages a complaint resolution process and utilizes fact-finding methodologies. They also train unit members about the IG process as well as fraud, waste and abuse issues.

Helping prepare her for her new assignment, Russel has held a variety of leadership roles in the Air Force that has provided a diverse knowledge base.

Her past duties have included military personnel flight chief, personnel presentations chief, military equal opportunity officer, media relations officer, mission support squadron commander, military equal opportunity chief, resources deputy chief and a squadron commander.

Russel said that she's ready to take on her new role and get to know Grissom Airmen.

She also said her office, located in building 596, has an open door policy and encourages people to contact with questions, concerns or complaints.

"Anyone is allowed to talk to me; we want people to feel free to do that, and a lot of times I can refer you to the right location," the IG explained. "So if there's something that's not right with policies or rules and not being followed, I'm here to listen and assist."

"Sometimes something will impact their career and it wasn't explained well," added Master Sgt. Robert Sanders, 434th ARW IG office superintendent. "For example if they feel something was unfair like a promotion or something they can contact us anytime and we can point them in the right direction."

Russel explained that one of her main focuses will be to help educate Airmen, as many times they just need a clarification of rules, regulations or policies to perform their job with excellence.

"The number one reason people don't do what they are supposed to do in the Air Force is that they didn't know they were supposed to do it," she continued. "Often time's people don't know the rules and I am able to point them in the right direction."

The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Airmen routinely deploy from the 434th ARW in support of the Air Force mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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New IG hits ground running

Public Affairs Staff