AFSO 21 turns common sense into common practice

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Benjamin Wilson
  • 39th Air Base Wing, Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century is a program designed to save the Air Force time, money and resources by putting the ideas of Airmen in action.

The Air Force developed AFSO 21 in Air Force Materiel Command five years ago and has since expanded the idea across the whole Air Force, according to Simon Russell, Simpler Consulting employee.

This type of branching out is the goal for all AFSO 21 ideas.

"As the program progresses there is a sharing of ideas," said Charles Morrison, 39th Air Base Wing, AFSO 21 program manager. "Any changes made locally go up through the chain all the way through the Air Force. Ideas implemented here may go into effect at another base in a month or two."

Sharing ideas is very important and is one of AFSO 21's greatest strengths, said Mr. Russell.

For example a base using a plan from Incirlik may be 10 times the size and could possibly have 10 times the savings.

With the budget cuts the Air Force has made, it is important to avoid costs in all possible areas, said Mr. Morrison. The money saved could be used to improve training, facilities and the quality of life for Airmen.

One of the most recent changes Incirlik has made through AFSO 21 is the system for in-processing new Airmen.

"Centralized in-processing has been reduced to a one day event in which new Airmen accomplish the bulk of the base's mandatory checklist," Mr. Morrison said. "Arriving Airmen also receive more information ahead of time so they're better prepared upon arrival. Spending less time in-processing allows Airmen to get spun up on their new shop's procedures faster."

Spending less time and money may seem like common sense, but an Airman has to submit a plan of action before changes can take place.

"The bottom line is turning common sense into common practice," said Mr. Russell. "Taking peoples ideas from the shop floor and turning them into the normal way of doing business."

One of the simplest ways of putting an Airman's ideas into practice is to contact Incirlik's AFSO 21 office.

"We want every Airman to feel like they can make a difference," said Mr. Morrison. "If an Airman thinks it can be done better, they should call my office and let me know. I will work with the Airman and we will develop a plan to put your improvements in place."

For more information on AFSO 21 or to make a suggestion, call Mr. Morrison at 676-1285 or e-mail charles.morrison@incirlik.af.mil.