AFSO21 helps safety, resources, saves time and money

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Katie Batchelder
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE,Calif. --  Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century is a program designed to assist units with specific problems to save time and reduce costs using the Air Force's eight-step problem solving process.

The process includes defining a problem statement, identifying performance gaps, setting an improvement target, determining root cause, developing countermeasures, seeing countermeasures through, confirming results and standardizing a successful process.

"It doesn't matter what level you are in the Air Force, if you're having problems with a process, the eight-step process solving method can be used to determine the root causes," said Mr. Steven Oien, head of the AFSO21 office.

In 2010, the AFSO21 program office completed 19 rapid improvement events.

The 60th Aerial Port Squadron and 615th Contingency Response Wing faced a challenge while performing a 10K altering forklift spotting operations under blackout conditions. Night vision goggles are used during aircraft engine running on and offload operations; however communication on the ground was a serious issue.

During aircraft loading operations under blackout conditions, personnel are put into an unsafe condition while spotting the 10K AT forklift. The individual is placed between the tires on the left side of the forklift to facilitate spotting duties, due to the obstructed view of the driver and the primary spotter on the ramp of the aircraft. At least three incidents in the Air Force were confirmed where the spotter was run over by the wheel, causing serious injury.

The objective for the AFSO21 team was to develop and implement a new standard for 10K AT forklift NVG operations to increase personnel safety and reduce manning and aircraft turn times. The project resulted in the use of night vision goggles and the addition of tactical communication headsets, which reduces time-on-the-ground to exposure of enemy fire for aircraft, aircrew and ground personnel.

By using tactical communication headsets, APS was able to remove the individual from the unsafe area. The aircraft load time was cut by 50 percent and aircraft ground time was saved, thus cutting the use of fuel by 50 percent. The headsets also allow all team members to know what is going on and allow for anyone at any time to stop the operation due to unsafe conditions.

The 60th Maintenance Squadron also utilized AFSO21, improving the fuel cell removal and replacement process.

The removal and replacement process time was decreased by 24 percent. The team also decreased time lost due to turn over from 24 hours to eight hours.

The 60th Mission Support Group utilized AFSO21 to approach inefficient in-processing procedures, which caused active duty personnel to spend additional hours or days completing the in-processing checklist.

MSG created a standardized process and checklist that allows inbound Airmen to arrive at Bldg. 381 and complete all tasks the same day.

The travel voucher can now be accomplished on the day of arrival. Sponsors were designed to aid pre-arrival and arrival actions and the sponsor's role was clarified and tailored to prepare inbound Airmen.

"Everybody can improve their work processes. Everybody can change an operating instruction, an Air Force instruction, or any requirement that directs their work," said Mr. Oien.

Future AFSO21 projects include the C-5 Galaxy and KC-10 Extender home station departure reliability rate rapid improvement event, the C-5 home station check rapid improvement event, the C-5 main landing gear rapid improvement event, the fuel cell re-look rapid improvement event and the C-17 Globemaster home station check rapid improvement event.