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Serving his country in more ways than one

  • Published
  • By Airman Rebekah Phy
  • McGuire Public Affairs
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, NJ. --  More than 30 years ago he served his country in Vietnam and was awarded the Silver Star for his accomplishments. Today, he continues to serve his country by contributing to the Air Force's vision for the future -- Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century. 

As the Mainstream Management consultant here since September, Ward Abbett spends his days mentoring others and conducting Rapid Improvement Events for McGuire personnel to gain hands-on experience in lean skills. 

"RIEs help personnel identify ways to reduce non-value added steps in their own workplace to make processes smoother and more efficient," said Mr. Abbett. "My goal is for McGuire to fully develop organic capability for continuous process improvement."
To date, Mr. Abbett has facilitated several RIEs in different units, which eliminated countless non-value added steps, saving McGuire and the Air Force time and money. He, along with McGuire facilitators, has also trained more than 600 McGuire personnel in AFSO 21 overview training. 

Mr. Abbett is working with 12 McGuire Airmen to be AFSO21 facilitators.

"This will multiply the impact of process improvement," Mr. Abbett said. "We're well on the way to the overall goal. Every RIE is a step forward." 

The 305th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, with assistance from Mr. Abbett, held a RIE to improve the process of how maintainers on the flightline process through the Composite Tool Kit. They were able to reduce distance traveled by the CTK technician by 31 percent, yielding a savings of 35 percent on time to process the maintainers through the CTK. In the end, maintainers spend less time waiting in line for tools and more time on the flightline supporting their mission. 

The 305th Maintenance Group's C-17 and KC-10 maintainers have also applied lean skills to processes in their workplace. Over the past year, improvements have been made to the turnaround time of aircraft inspections to increase aircraft availability to the warfighter, contributing to Team McGuire and Air Force efforts toward a leaner, smarter force. 

"When I see the junior Airmen who participate in the RIEs, it's an amazing feeling," Mr. Abbett said. "To see the change that takes place when they realize how much they can do and improve in such a short amount of time reminds me how meaningful my work is to me." 

It is because of the meaningfulness of his work that Mr. Abbett does this job.
"I'm 63 years old. I don't have to do this financially," Mr. Abbett said. "I do this because I love it. I loved my time in the military, and this position was the perfect opportunity for me.
"The opportunity to serve the military is one of the biggest reasons why I do this," Mr. Abbett said. "Mission-focus, civility and defense of this nation are three things that separate the military from other endeavors. 

"Also, the opportunity to mentor AFSO 21. In my career, I have seen organizations transform their operation through effectively implementing lean, and I know that McGuire 'Can Do' the same. 

"And finally, the opportunity to work for a highly ethical company; I work for a small consulting agency called Mainstream Management. During our two-year relationship, they have done the 'right thing' time and again for clients and consultants," Mr. Abbett said. 

Mr. Abbett seems to have adjusted well and enjoys being back in the military community.
"I can't believe how much I've been accepted here, I'm so grateful," Mr. Abbett said. "I'm away from home, my family is in Rochester, N.Y., and people have really gone out of their way to help and welcome me." 

McGuire is just as glad to have him as part of the team.
"Mr. Ward Abbett is a wonderful person," said Lt. Col. Steven Rafferty, 305th Operations Group vice commander and AFSO 21 lead. "He had a distinguished career in the U.S. Army for three years; his positive energy is contagious. Couple this energy with his incredible knowledge of the continuous process improvement tools, and he makes a fantastic team member to help lead our AFSO 21 initiatives." 

Despite being away from home, Mr. Abbett is dedicated to his work and truly enjoys what he does. 

"My wife, Nancy, is a hospice nurse and right now, we are both really being fulfilled with what we do, and it makes being apart a little easier," Mr. Abbett said. "On the weekends though, I put lean aside, and we devote time to each other."