92nd AMXS puts AFSO 21 initiative into action Published March 22, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Larry Carpenter 92nd ARW Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Fairchild has implemented several initiatives generated during an AFSO 21 rapid improvement event that occurred here Jan. 22-26. The rapid improvement event took place to find ways to reduce the amount of time that maintainers spent waiting for parts for the aircraft while on the flightline. Some of the ideas that came from the RIE were placing mobile benchstock kits on the maintenance trucks, enhancing communication between all parties involved, modifying a parts delivery system and developing a way to indicate to the maintenance trucks that the technicians need parts. The changes in the way parts are delivered to the maintainers have reduced waiting time that could be as long as 56 minutes, down to 13 minutes. "I personally think that this was the most successful RIE to date, not just because of the outstanding initiatives that were generated, but the overall impact on the personnel, said Major Thomas Campbell, 92nd Maintenance Group AFSO 21 representative. "The new processes have a positive impact on lots of people." The RIE was such a success, Major Campbell and Mr. Bill Long, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing AFSO 21 representative used it as an example during an AFSO 21 awareness class for wing personnel on March 15. "We used the RIE out-brief as an example for what to people should expect as an end result because of the positive outcome and benefits," said Major Campbell. Since the implementation of these initiatives, maintainers throughout the AMXS were able to get first hand experience using the new processes. "For being a new product, I like it," said Tech. Sgt. John Chasse, 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief. The mobile benchstock kits currently contain items that maintainers use frequently while out on the flightline. "I had no idea what was in the truck, but the first time I went in there it had the part I needed," said Sergeant Chasse. As the kits are used more frequently, the contents will be adjusted to meet the need for high demand items. "It's got the basics for what we need to get the job done," said Sergeant Chasse. "In the future, once we gather input from people using the product, we can incorporate other parts as needed." "As requirements change, the mobile benchstock kits will evolve," said Master Sergeant Joey Krussik, support flight NCOIC with the 92nd AMXS. In addition to having the mobile benchstocks available, AMXS has also implemented measures to enhance communication. While on the flightline, every maintainer have the opportunity to have access to a two-way radio. Every maintainer will not necessarily carry a radio, but there will be enough radios at every job site to ensure that there are open lines of communication, said Sergeant Krussik. The number of radios will also play a role into the parts delivery system that has been instituted. The parts delivery system allows a maintainer to call back and have parts delivered. In a case where a part that the maintainer needs isn't on the truck, they have a book in the maintenance truck that has pictures to identify all the items available back at the shop. "The technician out at the aircraft can ask to get three of item number 26 and it is brought out to them on the flightline," said Major Campbell. Finally, the RIE came up with a suggestion that places an indicator near the plane that signals to the maintenance trucks that the technicians need parts. This particular initiative is still being developed. This should allow the maintainers to continue working instead of having to spend time trying to wave down the maintenance trucks. "The RIE came up with one outstanding product for the maintainers," said Sergeant Krussik. With the success of this RIE to alleviate waiting time for parts, Major Campbell and the 92nd AMXS plan on carrying out two more RIE's in the near future.