McConnell AFB officials host AFSO 21 event

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. (AFNS) --  Officials here hosted their first Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century event Sept. 13 through 17 to further streamline and sustain the KC-135 Stratotanker fleet.

The event, called the "KC-135 Points of Use Parts Enterprise Event," involved 16 different units Air Force-wide, and affects the Air Force's fleet of more than 415 KC-135 Stratotankers.

"The main goal of this conference is to validate and make sure that each base is looking at the same thing on every (KC-135), ensuring parts are available, providing a common part listing to make sure each base will order the same parts, while also looking at supply system," said Master Sgt. David Jones, the 22nd Maintenance Operations Squadron process manager. "This, in turn, helps increase part sustainability for the KC-135 fleet."

The members analyzed every component of the KC-135, including wiring, hydraulic systems and engines, Sergeant Jones said.

The five-day event included members of the National Guard, the Reserve, United States Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces, Air Force Material Command and Air Logistics Center, Global Logistics Supply Center from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., five AFSO 21 facilitators, 15 AFSO Green Belt candidates and approximately 30 McConnell AFB maintenance group professionals.

"This event provided us a venue to share ideas and find out how other bases are operating at a (major command) level," said Capt. Tiffany Taylor, the 22nd Air Refueling Wing AFSO 21 chief. "So many times, we get caught up in how each base operates, but this event highlighted other possibilities and ways for us to improve not just McConnell (AFB's) fleet, but the entire KC-135 fleet."

During the event, approximately 13 best practices were identified Air Force wide, which will help to streamline the maintenance and supply order process, limiting downtime and maintenance on KC-135s.

"This really is big deal for the KC-135 fleet because it helps us find ways to sustain the aircraft for years," Sergeant Jones said. "It's just one more piece in the puzzle to make sure the KC-135 keeps flying."