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Team approach wins big for Charleston, saves Air Force millions of dollars

  • Published
  • By Capt. Bryan Lewis
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
CHARLESTON AFB, S.C. --  Today one can turn to any news channel or Web site and read about constant budget woes. Saving money remains a hot-button issue across the Nation. Fortunately for the Air Force, an integrated maintenance team here is doing their part to help save money while improving performance. 

The Avionics Section Improvement Team here was recently recognized for their accomplishments by Air Force Reserve Command, which allowed them the privilege of representing the USAFR in an Air Force-wide competition for the 2009 Chief of Staff Team Excellence Award. 

"The team was comprised of a truly integrated total force of Active Duty, Reserve, civilians, Air Reserve Technicians and a Boeing contractor," said Senior Master Sgt. Ken Battle, 315th Maintenance Squadron flight superintendent and team member. "Our mission was to work as a team and increase the scope of the repair capability of our section, implement time-saving methods and increase C-17 avionics parts availability."

Not only did they accomplish their mission, but they saved countless turn-around hours and money in the process.
Through their innovation, the team developed the capabilities to test and repair avionics equipment previously sent away for to a depot or other contractors for repair. Their hard work resulted in $24.2 million in savings for 2008, as well as an average component repair turn-around time of less than 20 hours, a 60 percent improvement over the command standard. Additionally, the team reduced simulator part repair times from 130 days to 4 days, which saved more than $320,000 for these parts alone.

"The Avionics Improvement Team's tremendous work through their 'born on the floor' ideas is what the Lean and Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century programs are all about," said Col. James Joyce, 315th Maintenance Group commander. "I am extremely proud to have the opportunity to work with such outstanding folks--more than $20 million in annual savings, a vast reduction in parts repair turn-around time and the definitive in C-17 avionics component repair. They are leaders in both Air Force Reserve Command and Air Mobility Command."

The team traveled to the Nation's capital for the competition, and while there received their USAFR award from Lt. Gen. Charles Stenner, commander of Air Force Reserve Command.