AFSO21 helps improve wing processes Published May 5, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Frances Locquiao 23rd Wing Public Affairs MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS) -- In an effort to help save time and money, 23rd Wing officials stood up an office to provide Airmen with the tools and assistance to carry out Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiatives. AFSO21 is a program to help improve work processes and combat capabilities throughout the Air Force. The purpose of the new office here is to provide Airmen tools, techniques and applications they can use in their work centers to refine operations. "AFSO21 is vitally important to produce combat power for the 23rd Wing," said Col. Kenneth Todorov, 23rd WG commander. "Given that we don't have as much manpower, money and resources as we'd like, it's important that every Airman in the wing considers ways to do (his or her) job in a faster, cheaper and better way." The "Five Desired Effects" of AFSO21 are to increase productivity, increase critical equipment availability, improve response time and agility, sustain safe and reliable operations and improve energy efficiency. "Our focus is to rid processes of wasteful actions," said Master Sgt. Scott Bradford, AFSO21 superintendent. "The eight types of waste that a team focuses on are defects, overproduction, waiting, non-standard or over processing, transportation, injuries, motion and excess inventory. These are the wastes that we deal with everyday." When someone recognizes there is a need for an improved process, a rapid improvement event is scheduled. During the event, which lasts five days, a team of experts involved in the process meet and brainstorm ideas for a new action plan. "My job is to guide teams through the event and address wasteful actions using AFSO21 tools," said Sergeant Bradford. "When they think of a new action plan, I assist them in laying out each step of the new process. "The most crucial part to the success of any event is if the new action plan is in place quickly," he added. "When teams wait too long, it may be more difficult for members to accept the change." Since Sergeant Bradford completed Level I training, he is one of the few people on base who can provide AFSO21 guidance. Level I training is five days of academic courses and completion of three rapid improvement events. When individuals complete Level I training, they are certified AFSO21 facilitators, which means they can guide teams through AFSO21 tools. Level II training is a two-week course at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn.; a two-week business internship with the Boeing Company in Mesa, Ariz.; and completion of five rapid improvement events. Completion of Level II training qualifies an individual to teach others to become facilitators. Sergeant Bradford will be attending his internship in July. "My goal is to have one facilitator from every group and squadron," said Sergeant Bradford. "I will be qualified to teach other members how to be facilitators, which means they won't have to travel anywhere for training and that saves money for the 23rd Wing." Since the office stood up in January, Sergeant Bradford has assisted other teams and they have completed approximately five rapid improvement events. "The group commanders and I are continuously looking for initiatives for which to apply AFSO21 principles," said Colonel Todorov. "The key to success will be Airmen at every level participating in the process." Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page