The secret is out: core teams facilitate success Published July 22, 2011 By Brandice J. O'Brien Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- They are so crucial to the Tinker mission, yet relatively unknown. Within the 76th Maintenance Wing are a handful of "core teams," designed to reduce process, policy or material issues that hinder the output of weapon systems and engines. Since 2009, personnel from the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group, 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group, appropriate system program offices, industry, Air Force Global Logistics Support Center and Defense Logistics Agency have come together to form the various core teams, while still performing their individual duties. "The core teams are instrumental to the success of breaking constraints to keep production areas moving," said Theresa Farris, director of the 564th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron -- KC-135 Stratotanker squadron. "The aircraft isn't getting any younger and I don't foresee the core teams being disbanded. They will continue to perfect their focus and ability to break constraints moving from tactical to strategic problem solvers." Summer Martinez, Pratt & Whitney Engine Core Team lead for the F100 and TF33 engines, agreed. "We are constantly putting processes in place to prevent these same fires from happening in the future versus putting a Band-Aid on it and hoping it doesn't happen again," she said. Brainstormed by Maj. Gen. David Gillett, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center commander, and Maj. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, special assistant to the commander of Air Force Materiel Command and former 76th MXW commander, core teams are the result of a value stream analysis. With teams ranging from six to 17 people per team, the groups have proved they are worth the effort. Ms. Farris said since the team's inception, the KC-135 core team has helped reduce flow days. "They have worked more than 200 constraints to date resulting in an overall reduction in flow days of 24 percent since 2009," she said. Additionally, in the past two years, the KC-135 team has resolved more than 160 constraints, of which 23 were long-term issues and 12 short-term challenges. Jeff Base, 566th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Weapon System Support Center chief and core team co-lead for the E-3 Sentry, E-6 Mercury, KC-10 Extender and C-130 Hercules, said his team's greatest accomplishment thus far has been aiding the E-3 programmed depot maintenance line. Most recently, the core team improved the availability of E-3 landing gears, which has been critical in preventing work stoppage. Lonnie Valencia, 565th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron B-52 Weapon System Support Center chief and co-lead for the core team representing the 565th AMXS, said his team prevented the installation of incorrect fuel cells, which would have delayed aircraft delivery. Following research, the team invited the manufacturer to the site, where it was discovered the cells needed to be remanufactured. "We overcame the challenges by having the right mix of highly motivated people," Mr. Valencia said. "These people all had the same focus and end goal to serve each other." Despite the accomplishments, there is still work to be done. Ms. Farris said she has already seen changes and her team mature, and future achievements are practically limitless. "The team today is much more synergetic then when it was first put in place," Ms. Farris said. "They have awareness and confidence in what they are doing ... core teams are 'customer focused' and open for business. Bring them your constraints and utilize their talents to help."