Modified cases a successful IDEA Published Dec. 5, 2008 By Pam Axton 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- The Innovative Development through Employee Awareness program is an incentive program that rewards people for improving their processes and saving the government money. The program rewards submissions at different rates based on the monetary savings of the IDEA and whether it is inside or outside of the submitters regular work area. Two individuals in the 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing recently shared a $10,000 award for their IDEA initiative. James A. Burt and Scott K. Hopper, 536th ACSS/GFEAD, developed modification procedures to convert the existing TF33-P102 fan exit cases for use on the TF33-P103 engines. This modification has already proven successful, with a cost savings of $37,976 for each case. From June 1, 2007, to May 31, 2008, 13 cases were modified. The annual cost savings was $493,684. Mr. Burt and Mr. Hopper split a $10,000 IDEA award for their suggestion. Robert Valdez, vice director for the 327th Aircraft Sustainment Wing, made the presentation. The IDEA program uses the IDEA Program Data System to initiate and track suggestions. More than 400 IDEAs were submitted through this system last year. Each organization at Tinker has an IDEA program manager, but questions can also be directed to the IDEA program office at 739-2004.