DLA supports Tinker mechanics with ‘Mega MIC’ Published Oct. 9, 2009 By Debra R. Bingham DSCR Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It's being called a "Mega MIC," the 144,000 square foot forward support point run by Defense Logistics Agency Oklahoma City at Tinker Air Force Base. The materiel inventory center, or MIC, currently has a $4.7 million inventory of 355 national stock number parts supporting the Air Force's TF33 engine maintenance operation. The TF33 powers the Air Force's B-52 Stratofortress, E-3 Century and KC-135E Stratotanker aircraft. The materiel in the MIC will continue to grow as more maintenance shops relocate to Building 9001. Col. Kelly Larson, commander of DLA Oklahoma City, said the Mega MIC concept began when the Air Force leased a former auto manufacturing plant and began renovations to turn it into an aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul facility. The General Motors plant closed in 2006 and Oklahoma County purchased it and several other buildings on the 407-acre complex. The county leased it to the Air Force in 2008, according to a report in the Tinker Take Off. The Air Force and DLA have been working over the last 12 months to renovate 2.5-million square feet of industrial floor space in Bldg. 9001. DLA Oklahoma City was part of the process early on and began planning where the MIC would be located and how it would be designed to best support the evolving maintenance mission, Larson said. Colonel Larson said that the 76th Maintenance Support Group did an outstanding job supporting DLA Oklahoma City so that the site could get up and running. "They didn't treat us like a tenant, but as a team member. We are an integral part of the Air Force organization here -- we can't separate our business from their business. As they change and transform we need to be with them. The Mega MIC is part of our commitment to support," Colonel Larson said. Lorna Shrewsbury, a DLA industrial engineer, designed DLA's site in Bldg. 9001. It will ultimately combine operations from 12 smaller DLA-run inventory centers from across base. The DLA site is located in a prime spot near the loading bays, which will facilitate moving items. Ms. Shrewsbury said the Mega MIC was a joint effort, with Defense Supply Center Richmond procurement and DLA Enterprise Support personnel providing equipment and refurbishing the area; their support was vital since money wasn't budgeted for the project. DSCR is DLA's aviation demand and supply chain and manages operations at DLA Oklahoma City. The team removed an overhead conveyor systems used in auto production and opened up the space, Ms. Shrewsbury said. "This facility allowed us to start from a blank slate and design from the ground up. The rest of the base is squeezed for space, so DLA has to fit where ever it could and that's not always the optimal posture for providing support. Now we have space to store parts to meet customer demands," Ms. Shrewsbury said. "This site lets us centralize operations and maximize our efficiencies to benefit customers -- not at the expense of customers. Though we are in a centralized area, we will continue to deliver the parts directly to the maintenance operation -- they won't have to come to our area to get the parts," Colonel Larson said. Colonel Larson said that traditionally a number of MICs would be scattered throughout the maintenance facility often based on available space. "We've been able to plan this site and apply process improvements to streamline operations and maximize efficiencies for our customers. Our site is designed based on the entire workload of the Air Force's five-year plan here," Colonel Larson said. The Air Force's TF33 Two-Level Maintenance section and DLA Oklahoma City materiel inventory center moved into the building July 13. The 76th Maintenance Wing, Defense Distribution Depot Oklahoma City and DLA Oklahoma City worked closely together on the materiel movement plan, Colonel Larson said. DDOO will provide the service of separating items for delivery to the Mega MIC and direct issue to the maintenance wing. This will eliminate the need to break the pallets down and separate the items before moving them forward. "We will use a 'milk run' concept to push parts from the MIC to the customer and continue the delivery process on items direct issued from DDOO. We also have a priority movement process for work-stoppage items to expedite delivery. As our workload grows, we'll add to our delivery runs to provide the support customers need," Colonel Larson said.