New AFTC inspector general sworn in

  • Published
  • By Rebecca Amber
  • Staff writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Maj. Gen. Arnold W. Bunch Jr., Air Force Test Center commander, swore in the new Air Force Test Center Inspector General Col. Christopher Wheeler July 30.

Wheeler is returning to Edwards from Pennsylvania where he served as commander of the 360th Recruiting Group.

"I love being back here; it's an airshow every day. You just never know what you're going to see here," said Wheeler. "My primary purpose will be to implement the boss' one enterprise solution, that inspections and exercises we implement across the three wings look the same, evaluate the same and produce the right health and efficiency of the three wings."

As the inspector general, Wheeler will provide support to both test operations and installation support organizations. This includes responding to inquiries from the White House and U.S. Congress, initiating and supervising fraud, waste and abuse investigations, receiving and reporting allegations against senior military or civilian officials and arranging training for all unit personnel to competently execute all IG requirements.

"We're at the opening stages of the new Air Force inspection system," Wheeler noted. "I look forward to seeing where this new inspection system takes us."

Wheeler's primary objective is to sustain a credible IG system by ensuring the existence of viable, responsible programs characterized by fairness, integrity and impartiality to address complaints and fraud, waste, and abuse allegations. As the installation's primary point of contact for inquiries from the White House and member of Congress, the IG acts as the "eyes and ears" of the commander, keeping him informed of potential areas of concern as reflected by trends based on analysis of credible data.

Additionally, the IG supports unit emergency preparedness by scripting, directing and evaluating various emergency scenarios.

Wheeler summed up his responsibilities, "Primarily, I have the oversight responsibilities of the center staff and the three wings' inspector general's activities."
 
Wheeler replaces Col. Paul Meyer who will stay in the high desert and serve as the Individual Mobilization Augmentee to the 412th Test Wing vice commander.