Wing wide 6S event promotes AFSO 21 Published July 31, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Jessica Lockoski 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- In an effort to de-clutter and organize work areas wing-wide, a 6S event is scheduled August 4 to 15 as a contribution to the lean process of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century. The term "6S" describes how Airmen in squadrons and base organizations can sort, straighten, shine, and standardize their work spaces. By sustaining this process, it is geared to maintain a safer workplace for the Airmen at McConnell. "Six-S for Success is what we are calling our campaign," said Col. James Vechery, 22nd Air Refueling Wing commander. "It is important to take time regularly for housekeeping activities to ensure we operate at top speed and strive to be the Air Force's Center of Air Refueling Excellence." During the 6S event, the McConnell AFSO 21 "lean-team" and squadron representatives will frequent work areas and assist Airmen on determining how equipment and office items can be defined as excess, underutilized and unneeded. By using the 6S model, de-cluttering work centers will also promote safety. "We inherently incorporate safety into everything we do," said Tech. Sgt. Douglas Wilson, AFSO 21 office. "When you have to climb over stored equipment items, you undermine safety." Items that are not being used, or are broken will be "red tagged" and taken to base wide holding areas. The McConnell AFSO 21 staff suggests that items such as old or broken computers and printers, office furniture, empty binders, old files and even extra office supplies can be tagged and taken away. "During our upcoming 6S Focus Weeks, leave no closet ignored, no file cabinet neglected, and no binder unevaluated," said Maj. Jim Beyer, Wing AFSO 21 officer. "These are all suspects for waste." The holding areas for these items will act as a garage-sale type environment where other members from different base units and organizations can "shop" for items which they can put to use in their work areas. The 6S lean process is designed to improve efficiency and increase productivity at work; yet, another significant goal the AFSO 21 office anticipates is the money-saving results that the program may bring to McConnell. As money is being saved, the Air Force's goal is to focus on retaining its combat capability. "The savings comes from reutilizing our resources or turning in excess waste on base," said Sergeant Wilson. "For example, McConnell pays licensing fees on all computers whether it's being used or sitting in storage. By eliminating those excess computers, we are saving the wing money spent." Major Beyer said that red tagging items that need addressed shouldn't be done only during focus week, but continuously through the year. An AFSO 21 SharePoint Web site is in development to facilitate the exchange of items yearlong. "AFSO 21 is about eliminating waste and continuously improving, "said Colonel Vechery. "We will never reach a finish line where we will consider ourselves done with AFSO 21 because there is always room for improvement. We need to incorporate AFSO21 into our day to day processes so its becomes second nature to how we conduct business" There are staging areas for unwanted items identified in every Group. Group representatives are: Director of Staff - MSgt. Cheryl Moye Operations Group - Capt John Johnson Maintenance Group - 1Lt Tim Plante Mission Support Group - 2Lt Michael Palmore Medical Group - Ms. Ruth Eckert Suggestions and questions on the 6S process and AFSO 21 should be addressed to their unit AFSO 21 representative or Sergeant Wilson at 759-2052.