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621st CRW goes lean with 6S process

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stan Parker
  • 621st Contingency Response Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Members across the 621st Contingency Response Wing recently spent several days focused on using the "6S" method to reduce clutter, inefficient processes, waste and more in their work spaces.

6S is a basic lean tool used to simplify the work environment and reduce non-value added activity while improving quality, efficiency, and safety. 6S, which was originally derived from the civilian 5S project, stands for sort, straighten, shine, standardize, sustain and safety

"In these times of cost consciousness, we are taking all practical actions to achieve our efficiency commitments and live within our fiscal constraints," said Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry O. Spencer, in a recent statement. "One efficiency area that requires action is identifying surplus supplies in individual units and creating local savings by repurposing them."

6S is a tool of the Lean Initiative Air Force Smart Operations is using for the 21st Century. Going "lean" is a way to remove waste and save money and time, while improving quality.

"It is a method for preventing waste and trimming the fat so to speak," said Master Sgt. Jeffrey Wheeler, 621 CRW West AFSO21 master process owner. "It's great for identifying ways to do more with less."

By redistributing or turning in 682 items at the CRW's east coast offices and another 588 items at the CRW's offices on the west coast, the wing totaled more than $83,000 in savings in future cost.

"This gives the wing an opportunity to conduct accountability in areas that typically don't have much governance," said Thom Maxwell, 621 CRW AFSO21 program manager. "Unfortunately common supply areas usually end up as dumping grounds for excess equipment and supplies that are either outdated or not serviceable."

Based on the success of the recent event, Airmen in every part of the Wing were reminded to use 6S on a monthly basis to continuously improve work centers and overall unit supply efficiency.

"Together we (621 CRW) have pooled our resources and as one wing completed a very successful first-time 6S event across this geographically separated wing," Wheeler said.

Maxwell echoed Sgt. Wheeler's assertion of the event's success.

"All the facilitators of the CRW AFSO21 team did an outstanding job putting these actions into place in a very tight timeframe with spectacular results," Maxwell said. "In one instance, using a matrix that grades on a scale of zero to five, a portion of the wing went from a score of .29 to an astounding score of 4.6."

Efficiency is extremely important to a unit that consists of more than 1,500 Airmen in six groups, fourteen squadrons and more than 20 geographically separated operating locations, while remaining light, lean and agile to respond as directed to meet combatant command wartime and humanitarian requirements.