Air Force leaders create A1 Quick Response Cell Published Sept. 11, 2007 By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- Manpower, personnel and services professionals now have a new set of allies at Air Force headquarters. The Air Force A1 staff recently formed a 20-person team, dubbed the A1 Quick Response Cell, to help their people in the field identify and revamp policies or processes that can be handled more effectively. "With so many changes within our career field, there are sometimes old policies or Air Force Instructions that just don't make sense any more," said Lt. Col. Thomas Fredericks, the administrative manager for the QRC. "We're here as a direct line at the headquarters level to get the A1 community the help they need." The QRC is made up of representatives from several A1 agencies, reservists and Air National Guardsmen, as well as the Air Force Personnel Center, Services Agency and Manpower Agency. Colonel Fredericks, one of the newest members of the team, was the mission support squadron commander at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., prior to his assignment at the Pentagon. "I would have loved to have a resource like this. A direct line to the Air Staff is a great opportunity to make an Air Force-wide impact," he said. If someone in a field manpower, personnel or services organization has a question or suggestion concerning a policy initiative, they should send it to their squadron commander, field operating agency commander, or major command director. In turn, the commander or director can then send the query by e-mail and within 48 hours someone from the Air Force A1 QRC will send an interim response about the issue. The query is staffed to one of the experts on the team, who will research the possibility of enacting the proposal, Colonel Fredericks said. "We're getting some great suggestions from the field and we do a good amount of research to give them the best solution possible," Colonel Fredericks said. "Ultimately, our goal is to have a resolution one way or another within seven days. If our policy makers need more time, we'll grant an extension, but ensure we keep the initiative moving to completion." The QRC has already had success with the program. For example, one commander suggested standardizing release lists for officer boards such as squadron commander, professional military education or training. This will slash the time it takes to research the information their commanders need. This change was approved in just six days, Colonel Fredericks said. "It's particularly important for the A1 community to leverage efficiencies to help our people in the field," Colonel Fredericks said. "These changes will save us time and make us far more effective at performing our mission." Mission support, manpower and services squadron commanders, as well as A1 FOA commanders and MAJCOM A1 staffs can send proposed policy reviews to afa1.quickresponsecell@pentagon.af.mil. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) View the comments/letters page