618th TACC initiative wins DOD recognition Published June 11, 2009 By Kristian Moore Headquarters Air Mobility Command AFSO 21 office SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- The 618th Tanker Airlift Control Center here was awarded first prize for the best operational improvement initiative during the Defense Department's second annual Continuous Process Improvement Symposium June 1 through 3 at the National Conference Center in Lansdowne, Va. All military branches were represented at the conference, which highlighted 71 success stories from across the Defense Department, including 20 presentations on initiatives with operational backgrounds. The 618th TACC's flight clearances initiative was selected as the best operations improvement presentation from the 20. The 618th TACC project addressed the problem of minimizing flight costs through improved flight routing. The problem statement was: "The shortest distance between two points is a straight line -- also called a 'great circle' in aviation terms. How do we minimize flying time and fuel cost? How do we incorporate this into the standard work of flight planning?" Based on the problem statement, members of the 618th TACC, in conjunction with Air Mobility Command's Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century office, set out to find a solution. The 618th TACC project briefed that global flight planning is impacted by variables beyond direct control of the Air Force, and systematic changes to air routing can have dramatic and cost-impacting effects for military airlift. Airlift routing cannot always follow great circle routing or even optimized routing that accounts for wind, temperature and distance. However, the 618th TACC is proactively engaged in multiple air traffic control working groups world-wide to identify opportunities for shortened flight routing to save flying time, costs and even reduce AMC's carbon footprint. At the same time, the 618th TACC developed international partnerships that help reduce diplomatic clearance restrictions to further improve air routing that, in-turn, saves time, fuel and operating costs. For example, by using the shortened air routing process for a C-17 Globemaster III mission, the Air Force saves more than $200 for each minute of reduced flying time. By employing this process worldwide, the 618th TACC saved nearly $8.8 million in flying costs in 2008. "The symposium showcased numerous challenges throughout the military," said Maj. Mark Hollandsworth, 618th TACC AFSO21 officer. "It was enlightening to see both the successes and the challenges that are experienced across the DOD. It was a great conference." The 618th TACC's award was presented by the DOD Lean Six Sigma Program Office. Mr. Steve Harris, 618th TACC flight planner was recognized in front of the crowd, which included more than 600 lean process improvement practitioners. "The symposium was an incredible event," Mr. Harris said. "Despite years of being an active 'quality' promoter and user in my previous Air Force career, I never saw this level of senior leadership involvement or user success from CPI employment. Lean Six Sigma really works. The storyboard presentations were all impressive and it was an honor being chosen to compete."