Teamwork leads to big OC-ALC win

Published Aug. 18, 2011
By Brandice J. O'Brien
Staff Writer

Tinker AFB, Okla. -- The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center recently won the highly regarded 2011 Robert T. Mason Depot Maintenance Excellence Award for its work on the KC-135 Stratotanker Programmed Depot Maintenance line.

The Department of Defense award, named for Robert T. Mason, a former assistant deputy under the secretary of defense for maintenance policy, programs and resources, recognizes the KC-135 PDM team's outstanding efforts in fiscal 2010.

"This is yet another Team Tinker success, and is the result of our demonstrated excellence in KC-135 maintenance, repair, and overhaul," wrote Col. Cedric George, 76th Maintenance Wing commander, in a memo to maintenance wing personnel. "I'm extremely proud of our entire KC-135 Team, and look forward to the celebrations in the days ahead. Well done, again! Way to bring home the 'gold' for Team Tinker."

James Schmidt, American Federation of Government Employees Local 916 president, agreed. "This achievement is the result of perfect execution of process improvements with employee involvement and the sheer willpower and work ethic of the Oklahoma worker," he said.

Among its accomplishments, the organization produced 55 aircraft, one more than the production goal. The team also implemented kitting programs including the Engine Plumbing Kit, which cut inspection time during the pre-dock phase when aircraft are stripped of flight controls, engines, the boom and interior, by 50 percent. The kit merges everything the mechanic needs into one easily identifiable space. In the inspection-dock phase, a "Superkit," or six kits in one, was developed and put 78 tasks together, which reduced the number of "on-hold" jets from seven to zero.

Additionally, 45 rapid improvement events bettered KC-135 PDM processes, including the "extended flow" aircraft in the structures/build-up phase. Aircraft with major structural repair had been held back, but as a result of the RIEs, flow days were improved by 40 percent.

Overall, the work by the KC-135 PDM team caused a reduction in flow days from 216 to 179.

Col. Mark Beierle, director of the OC-ALC Aerospace Sustainment Directorate, said this award has significant value to the entire center.

"We have worked very hard to improve our processes on the KC-135, in the program office and with our maintenance and supply chain partners, and it has paid great dividends," Colonel Beierle said. "This award required a combined effort of a talented team and we are excited and proud of Team Tinker's efforts to continuously improve the way we 'keep 'em flying!'"

Bill Swigert, OC-ALC director of Manpower and Personnel, agreed.

"Winning the award is truly a great accomplishment reflective of the concerted efforts of Team Tinker," Mr. Swigert said. "The work doesn't get done without the human resources organized to meet the mission requirements. We in the directorate of manpower and personnel are proud of the role we played in support of the entire center in building and maintaining efficient organizations and recruiting and developing workforce talent."

Col. Bob LaBrutta, 72nd Air Base Wing commander, said everybody within the OC-ALC should be proud of this win. In addition to the 76th MXW, he is proud of the 72nd ABW's efforts.

"Everyone in the OC-ALC should be extremely proud of this achievement with our strongest congrats to the outstanding professionals of the 76th MXW! This award further validates the fact that they are the best in the business," Colonel LaBrutta said. "I am also extremely proud of our 72nd Air Base Wing wildcatters who support this vital mission by allowing the 76th's extraordinary maintainers and engineers to commit themselves fulltime in 'delivering airpower any time ... any place" to meet our warfighters' requirements!"

Col. Tim Henke, 448th Supply Chain Management Wing vice director, said he is equally proud of the OC-ALC and is glad the wing is partnered with the center.

"We're very proud of our depot maintenance partners' recognition," the colonel said. "This award is a testimony of their great accomplishments and the 448th SCMW team is glad to be able to support them and be an integral part of Team Tinker. The Air Force Global Logistics Support Center strives to provide world-class supply chain management support and this award is another example of the great strides we've taken with our partners in the relative short period of time since the AFGLSC stand-up."

The award will be presented at the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Awards banquet Nov. 16 during the 2011 Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium and Exhibition at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas.