AFSO 21 leader visits Luke

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Janet Haliburton
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Dr. Ron Ritter, the special assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century visited here Feb. 21 and 22 and saw first hand Luke's AFSO 21 processes in action. 

When asked why he was here, Dr. Ritter said he heard Luke was the finest base in the Air Force. 

"We are really here for two reasons," Dr. Ritter said. "First we want to understand the issues and operational challenges that you are dealing with here at Luke and what are the areas you need to work on. 

An example of what is learned during visits to bases is that the lack of available money to invest behind good ideas is a big problem. 

"By learning that we are able to go back and argue a stronger case for the kind of money that you need," Dr. Ritter said. "It helps us understand how we can be supportive of you."
AFSO 21 is a top priority of the secretary of the Air Force. 

AFSO 21 solves problems and eliminates waste. The purpose is to systematically find better ways to do tasks and strengthen combat effectiveness. There are five AFSO 21 program objectives: increasing the productivity of the Air Force's most valued asset--its Airmen, significantly increasing critical equipment availability rates, improving response time and agility, sustaining safe and reliable operations; and improving energy efficiency.
"The only reason we exist at headquarters is to enable you here on the front lines," Dr. Ritter said. "That's our entire purpose in life. 

"We have learned that the only truth that matters is the truth at the front lines. I can imagine anything I want to at headquarters, and it may or may not be true. The only truth I trust is the one that is right here." 

The second reason for the visit was for Luke to hear directly from headquarters what it is expected to accomplish and to see the great work Luke is already doing. 

"I saw many outstanding areas on my visit," Dr. Ritter said. "It was very impressive to see the medical folks thinking like maintainers. If you think about it, doctors are people maintainers--that's what they do, they maintain people. It was interesting to see medical leadership talking to the maintenance side about how to improve the same processes." 

Dr. Ritter was also impressed with the wheel and tire shop. 

"The shop was extremely clean and organized," Dr. Ritter said. "They said they did all the basic AIR FORCESO stuff, read the book and did a couple of projects, but they weren't stopping there. They were going to keep going and start working on the really hard stuff. I loved hearing that." 

Dr. Ritter suggested that before a change is made, it should be thought through to understand the benefit of the change. To say its better, cleaner or easier to find is not enough. 

"I am so proud of the work that our Thunderbolts do here at Luke," said Col. Henry Reed, 56th Fighter Wing vice commander. "We were given the opportunity to showcase our AFSO 21 processes to Dr. Ritter. Our people really shined. It was also great to hear the perspectives from the top and to know that were are on track with the rest of the Air Force and AFSO 21."

According to Dr. Ritter, the focus for Luke should be on what matters to the 56th FW and the issues that need to be improved. 

"It's our job to improve our Air Force," Dr. Ritter said. "At every level, every Airman's job is to improve the Air Force." 

For more information, on the AFSO 21 program, go to http://www.afso21.hq.af.mil.