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Air Force leaders praise ALC efforts

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  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Tinker hosted six senior leaders from two major commands March 2 for a review of programmed depot maintenance here.

Guests from Air Mobility Command and Air Force Materiel Command discussed game plans for the KC-135 programmed depot maintenance line and F108 engine with Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center senior leadership.

Lt. Gen. Rusty Findley, AMC vice commander, also addressed two groups of mechanics, thanking them for their hard work and dedication to the mission.

"The level of discussion was right on target," General Findley said of the day's events. "There are some challenges out there with respect to aging aircraft, but what I saw and heard were a lot of good people that are paying attention at the right levels to the challenges."

Tinker leadership began studying the PDM line using process improvement tools such as value-stream mapping approximately a year ago. Leaders then set objectives to decrease aircraft flow days and decrease the number of in-work aircraft. Teams set out to accomplish this by using other tools, such as rapid improvement events.

The OC-ALC's approach to bring together the entire enterprise to achieve the objectives caught the attention of AMC officials. The outcome sparked the idea for a conference, which Col. Robert Torick, 827th Aircraft Sustainment Group commander and point-of-contact for the event, said was well received.

"We demonstrated our transformation efforts and how they've improved the PDM flow days," he said. "We're still focused on reducing flow days and reducing aircraft in-work at the depot, but we will have to continue to work through process and parts issues to achieve our warfighter's aircraft-availability goals."

A "visual management" board is just one tool developed to minimize flow days. Brainstormed and implemented by 564th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron KC-135 Inspection Dock personnel, the dry-erase board displays value-added information for each aircraft in the dock. It is accessible to anyone walking by.

"This I-Dock process makes the other phases more predictable and more controllable because we know what we have up front," said Charles Alley, 564th AMXS Tanker Production Flight Chief and briefer.

After learning about the visual management board, General Findley, who is well-versed in KC-135s, thanked I-Dock personnel for their continuing efforts.

"I see the effects of what you're doing each and every day," the general said, "and this airplane that you so carefully and professionally take care of is the backbone of the air refueling fleet in the United States' Air Force. It is airpower in action. My thanks to you for what you've done already and for knowing how important it is."

General Findley and guests also toured the F108 engine, the KC-135's engine, shop.

Larry Mullinax, 546th Propulsion Maintenance Squadron director, said shop personnel disassemble the motor, determine the issue, clean and inspect it, and send it to the back shop for further repairs. Once the engine's components are fixed, the motor is reassembled at the shop, tested and when it clears, is returned to the customer.

"Lots of folks help here, it's a good team effort," Mr. Mullinax said.

When General Findley addressed shop personnel, he agreed.

"What I see in the work force here is great effort and great professionalism," the general said. "My message here is pretty simple, thank you. Continue down the road of constant process improvement as you are doing today."