TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The 448th Supply Chain Management Wing was recognized as the recipient for the 2016 Department of Defense Award for Supply Chain Excellence. The annual DOD-wide award is presented to the organization that displays exceptional dedication and excellence through the implementation of state-of-the-art developments or by adopting the best supply chain practices and demonstrating significant improvements in supply chain management.
In a letter from Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense Kristin French, the 448th SCMW “earned this award for their strategic transformation effort to improve their Supply Chain Management lifecycle support to the Air Force Sustainment Center by improving forecast accuracy on Air Force managed depot level repairables and consumables.”
448th SCMW Director Frank Washburn delved into the details of the significance and necessity of his wing, explaining that there is often a misconception associated with the “virtual wing” that spans across three time zones.
“At times, there’s a misunderstanding that because we are physically located at Tinker, Robins and Hill, the 448th SCMW exclusively provides supply support to the depots,” Mr. Washburn said. “Our supply chain is arguably one of the most complex on the planet and the parts we provide primarily support Air Force operational units around the globe.” He went on to explain that 70 percent of parts that his team plans and sources are provided to operational units versus the depots. The remaining 30 percent support aircraft and ICBM programmed depot maintenance, engine overhaul programs, as well as electronics and commodities production at the ALCs. The 448th SCMW not only supports aircraft and ICBMs, but also provides global sustainment for engines, ALCMs, command, communications and intelligence platforms, and support equipment.
“I’m really proud of our folks,” the director noted of his 2,900-person wing. With a rallying phrase resonating with his team of “parts on the shelf, contracts in place,” the wing is enabled and equipped to support the warfighter. The wing measures their success on asset availability, which translates into having the right part, at the right place, at the right time. Targeting an 80 percent asset availability enables combat power and ensures weapon systems are mission ready.
In order to achieve their asset availability goals to support the warfighter, the wing “puts a great deal of effort into innovative approaches to improve forecast accuracy,” Mr. Washburn said. The 448th SCMW supply chain professionals plan what parts to buy and repair one to two years in advance. Forecast accuracy measures the ability for the 448th SCMW to “look into their crystal ball” and plan the right type and right number of spare parts to support the warfighter. Leading the DOD, the 448th SCMW demand forecast accuracy stands at approximately 71 percent. In context that percentage ranks up there with the industry’s best — a difficult task considering the age and complexity of Air Force weapon systems and unpredictability of parts demands. If the 448th SCMW plans to buy or repair the wrong parts, those parts are then brought back to the shelves and can create an excess.
Excess material and assets without demand in more than 10 years were identified for disposal through the efforts of the 448th SCMW, which resulted in parts valued over $76 million being removed from Air Force inventory. The wing’s efforts to save resources resulted in a significant reduction of an overall requirement of $2.4 billion.
In terms of the scope and magnitude the wing reaches, the 448th SCMW provides a wide range of support to not only Air Force weapon systems, but also 61 allied countries, as well as Navy, Army and Marine spares requirements.
Mr. Washburn accepted the award in a formal ceremony in Tampa, Fla., on April 19, during the National Defense Industrial Association’s 33rd Annual National Logistics Forum.