AFSO21 energizes operations Published April 6, 2007 By Col. Steve Arquiette 60th Air Mobility Wing commander TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Last week Team Travis closed a very productive first quarter of 2007, filled with major exercises, including Eagle Flag 07-03 and Crisis Look 07-02, multiple C-17 deliveries and the deployment and re-deployment of hundreds of Team Travis personnel. Through all of these events, we discovered processes that aren't necessarily the best way to accomplish key portions of our air mobility profession. The personnel deployment process line is ripe for improvement, so teams have begun to lay the framework for a Lean event that will expedite possessing; it currently takes 7 to 8 hours for a person to get through the line and get the gear, and our goal is to reduce that time to 1.5 hours. This will be a tremendous savings, and we look forward to fixing this core readiness process! The above mentioned improvement through a Lean event is but one of the many ongoing rewarding efforts made possible through our Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiative. I encourage you to look at how you currently do your work and think "how could this task be done easier" - that's the entire basis for continual process improvement. You'll be hearing and learning more in the very near future, so please get ready to make Travis an even greater place to work and live! I believe the AFSO-21 culture will benefit the Air Force, and more importantly the Airmen asked to complete our nationally-important day-to-day operations successfully. Change is happening elsewhere at Travis as well. The 615th Contingency Response Wing stood-up a brand new group this week. The wing combined the 573rd Global Support Squadron and the 15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron to form the 615th Contingency Operational Support Group. As this wing continues to mature, we are seeing adjustments in their structure because the Air Force has taken a second look at how to bolster their operational capability. Lastly, whether we're at home-station or deployed, our Airmen must be provided an environment where they feel comfortable and protected. Programs such as the Sexual Assault Response Program are designed to instill an awareness of crimes committed against our Airmen. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time to re-focus on this ever-present threat and to remind our Airmen of the prevention and support programs available to them. Sexual assault is a serious crime that the Air Force and I will not tolerate. Make sure you continue to look out for your Wingman on- and off-duty. We must ensure that our Airmen and their families are afforded a safe and caring environment in order to ensure continued success. As we blaze the way ahead with the ongoing changes here at Travis, we can't lose focus on caring for our Airmen. BE PROUD! BE SAFE!