Incirlik utilizes AFSO21 initiative

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jeff Neviscon
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  The Air Force Smart Operations for the Twenty-First Century initiative was first introduced by the Secretary of the Air Force, Michael Wynne March 8, 2006.

The 39th Air Base Wing implemented the program at the same time, but just recently hired its new AFSO21 Program Manager, Pam Chatham.

Ms. Chatham says she likes her new position and sees that her prior experience as a teacher helps her.

"Having a background in teaching, I like the power AFSO21 gives to look at your job and educate others on how processes can be done better, faster, and more efficiently, said Ms. Chatham."

"AFSO21 was established to help the Air Force continue running smoothly and efficiently while saving time, money and other resources," said Ms. Chatham.

Since its inception, ideas put forth within the AFSO21 program typically begin at the squadron level, but Master Sergeant Michael Martinez, 39th Maintenance Group quality assurance superintendent, said that understanding the program and trying to affect change is not a simple task.

"The process to implement AFSO21 ideas into action can be tricky," Sergeant Martinez said. "In the aircraft/munitions maintenance community, people are used to doing things in certain ways, and some people may be a little apprehensive about exploring new ways to do something."

An indicator of the level of support AFSO21 receives across the Air Force is that AFSO21 initiatives can even result in changes to Air Force instructions and directives if required to implement the improvement.

Although it has taken time to change the culture within some organizations, Sergeant Martinez definitely thinks AFSO21 ideals are taking hold. For example, the 39th Maintenance Squadron recently utilized AFSO21 to make some positive changes.

"AFSO21 provides us with a means to look for process improvement opportunities and implement them," said Sergeant Martinez. "It also shows us how we can operate more efficiently while utilizing available resources."

"We have explored the possibility of installing a flightline access gate near the Aerospace Ground Equipment maintenance complex," explained Sergeant Martinez. "This will allow easier access to the facility from the flightline and reduce the exposure of AGE on public streets, and save Airmen moving equipment several minutes each trip, which may not sound like much, but it adds up."

As more and more squadrons implement AFSO21 objectives, the outlook for the 39th ABW becomes even more promising.

"AFSO21 is alive and well throughout the wing," said Ms. Chatham. "In the near future, we will focus more on big mission outputs that go across squadrons and affect more than just one unit on base."

Questions may be directed to Ms. Pam Chatham at 676-1285, or e-mail her at pamela.chatham@incirlik.af.mil.