Airmen learn AFS021 process

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mark Adams and Troy Lillemon
  • 56th Component Maintenance Squadron
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Fifteen Luke Air Force Base Airmen recently learned how to be Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century facilitators during a 40-hour training course July 19 through 23.

The training group consisted of officers, enlisted and a civilian contractor from squadrons across the base, who are now ready to help lead the base in process improvement.

"I thought coming in I was pretty well versed in AFSO21 and its tools such as Lean, Six Sigma and Theory of Constraints," said Staff Sgt. Larry Williams, 56th Component Maintenance Squadron fuels technician. "However, our instructors were able to show us many tools and techniques to help a team comprised of subject-matter experts see their processes and find ways to improve them."

This definitely isn't Total Quality Management, said Master Sgt. Todd Elias, 56th Maintenance Group AFSO21 superintendent.

"TQM had a bucket full of goals that brought in outsiders to improve a process," he said. "AFSO21 has a laser-focused goal -- identify waste and attack it. This methodology allows our Airmen to become process owners, which helps them identify the root cause of waste in their shops and units. This hands-on approach helps them to improve their own processes."

The training wasn't just classroom and PowerPoint.

"The class went to McDonalds to see the food service process from beginning to end," Sergeant Elias said. "Throughout the week, the Airmen utilized tools learned to break down the processes and identify waste within it. They then determined root cause of the waste and developed countermeasures to improve the efficiency of the process."

At the end of the week, the class took another field trip to individual Luke units to see their AFSO21 success stories.

"I was extremely impressed with the tour of the hydraulics shop," said Senior Master Sgt. Shelly Rogers, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron Operations and Compliance superintendent. "An airman 1st class briefed the old and current processes while the section chief stood in the background. They are truly proud of their success, as they should be, and Airmen at every level are involved with the process. I was also impressed that even after earning a 'Best Practice' they are still identifying areas of improvement and continuing to use AFSO21."

Luke has a wealth of success stories using AFSO21, said Lt. Col. Kip Wilkowski, 56th Fighter Wing Inspector General deputy and 56th FW AFSO21 program officer-in-charge.

"The 56th CMS hydraulics shop and the 56th EMS wheel and tire shop have both earned Air Force 'Best Practices' due to their recent accomplishments," he said. "More process improvements have occurred within the F-100 jet engine shop and the 56th Military Personnel Flight outbound assignment branch. These Airmen, including myself, can now help be a part of it and lead their units toward the same kind of success."