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AMC logistics director highlights successes, challenges

  • Published
DALLAS --   The Air Mobility Command director of logistics discussed current careerfield topics with more than 250 Airmen during his seminar as part of the Airlift/Tanker Association convention here Oct. 29.

Brig. Gen. Loren Reno cited loggie success stories in generating more mobility assets for current operations, but challenged the commands logisticians to work even harder to free up aircraft for the fight.

One success within the command has been the maintenance communitys ability to use smart maintenance practices to make more aircraft available to warfighting commanders.

A short-term practice was to declare contingency tire limits for the C-17, which increased the interval between tire changes, allowing us to speed turn the aircraft, General Reno said.

Another practice was to delay washing airplanes, such as the KC-135 and the C-5. Washing aircraft on a regular schedule helps prevent corrosion, but the general said it can be pushed back a bit to allow for a surge capability.

We can stop [washing aircraft] for a short period of time, so we did, while we surged for (Operation Iraqi Freedom), he said.

The command has also posted impressive numbers with regards to recovering broken aircraft in particular, those that break off-station. Since Sept. 11, 2001, the logistics community has repaired and recovered broken aircraft in an average of about 42 hours, according to General Reno.

When considering that some of these off-station locations are off the logistics beaten path, in places like Diego Garcia or Australia, thats incredible what youre doing. Thats the transportation community, the maintenance community, the supply community working together to make that happen, General Reno said.

In spite of such an enviable record (the command standard is 48 hours), General Reno said that in about 1.9 percent of these aircraft recoveries, it doesnt work as well as it should, for a number of reasons, including ordering the wrong part, shipping the wrong part, or having the part go to the wrong place.

The general said that the logistics triad of transportation, maintenance and supply can do even better, and he asked for their help in reducing an already small number.

Why am I making a big deal out of 1.9 percent? asked General Reno. Its because that tail number is out of commission, sitting on the ground not being used.

Before concluding his seminar, General Reno highlighted a few initiatives currently being worked within the logistics community that will improve support to the warfighter and to other military customers. He also thanked the team for its stellar performance.

Weve got a lot of people really making a difference for the warfighter, and a lot of people are coming up with some great ideas, General Reno said. Weve got warrior logisticians all around, and it makes me proud to belong to them.

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