The Air Force Inspection Agency (AFIA) operates as an Air Force Field Operating Agency under the direction of the Air Force Inspector General. It provides independent assessments of acquisition, nuclear surety, operations, logistics, support, and healthcare to Air Force senior leadership. Additionally, the agency identifies deficiencies and recommends improvements for accomplishing peacetime and wartime missions. It also evaluates Air Force activities, personnel, and policies, and provides legal and compliance oversight of all Air Force-level Field Operating Agencies and Direct Reporting Unit

Direct Reporting Unit

A Direct Reporting Unit is an agency of the United States Department of the Air Force that is outside the bounds of the standard organizational hierarchy by being exclusively and uniquely under the control of Air Force headquarters alone, rather than reporting through a Major Command...

s.

Organization

The AFIA consists of four directorates. Process Integration Directorate conducts assessments focused on improving processes to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the Air Force. The Inspection and Oversight Directorate schedules, coordinates, and executes Compliance Inspections, Nuclear Surety Inspection Oversight assessments, and conducts Compliance Inspections of all Field Operating Agencies and Direct Reporting Units. The Medical Operations Directorate performs Health Services Inspections of all Air Force active duty, Reserve, and Guard medical units worldwide in partnership with acknowledged expert civilian accrediting agencies. The Mission Support Directorate provides administrative and logistical support for AFIA.

History

The AFIA traces its history back to 1927 with the establishment of the Inspection Division under the Chief of the Army Air Corps

United States Army Air Corps

The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...

. The division performed technical inspections in support of flight safety objectives. By the end of World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, this function was aligned under the Office of the Air Inspector. In 1948, after the Air Force became a separate service, the Air Force chief of staff designated the Office of the Inspector General to oversee all inspection and safety functions.

In the 1950s, all activities were consolidated at Norton Air Force Base

Norton Air Force Base

Norton Air Force Base is a former front-line United States Air Force facility located east of downtown San Bernardino, California in San Bernardino County.-Overview:...

, California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

, in the 1002d Inspector General Group commanded by the Deputy Inspector General for Inspection and Safety. On 31 December 1971, the Air Force Inspection and Safety Center was activated, replacing the 1002d IG Group. In August 1991, the center was divided into the Air Force Inspection Agency and the Air Force Safety Agency (now the Air Force Safety Center). The Air Force Inspection Agency and the Safety Center moved to Kirtland Air Force Base

Kirtland Air Force Base

Kirtland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in the southeast quadrant of the Albuquerque, New Mexico urban area, adjacent to the Albuquerque International Sunport. The base was named for the early Army aviator Col. Roy C. Kirtland...

, New Mexico

New Mexico

New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...

, in July 1993, due to the closure of Norton Air Force Base.

See also