Achieving art of the possible through partnerships

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  In an operating environment focused on discovering new ways to save time, Airmen and civilian partners gathered at the 2014 Air Force Association’s Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition to listen to a presentation titled “Achieving the Art of the Possible” Sept. 15.

Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Litchfield, the Air Force Sustainment Center commander, briefed the audience about the “Achieving Art of the Possible, The AFSC Way," and how its implementation helped shrink aircraft overhaul, engine repair and supply component turn times, all while driving down costs.

According to the AFSC talking paper, the model design ensures everyone is shooting for the same result and there are common goals for the entire enterprise. 

This concept was critical to establishing more cost-effective operations across AFSC’s three air logistics complexes, three air base wings, two supply chain management wings and multiple remote operating locations; incorporating more than 32,000 military and civilian personnel. In addition, AFSC provides installation support to more than 75,000 personnel working in 140 associate units at the three bases.

“When we stood up AFSC, we tried to learn from the best of the bests in industry,” Litchfield said. “So we wanted to put a system in place (that allowed us to) not only be the best at what we do within the Air Force, the best at what we do within the Department of Defense, but the best at what we do not matter where we are worldwide. I’m not telling you we’re perfect in any way, shape or form, but we have had some great results.”

The AFSC Way, which focuses on people, processes and resources, led to operational commanders receiving aircraft back 20 percent faster and improved supply support by 11 percent and 9 percent two years running.

“We have provided more aircraft and more parts to the field, and we have done it at a significantly reduced cost,” Litchfield said. “In fiscal year 2015, we gave the Air Force back $500 million. What that is allowing us to do is to get more readiness at less cost for our Air Force.”

To take the program to the next level, AFSC is working to educate civilian partners on the model.

This allows industry to know what to expect from the Air Force and helps them become better partners, Litchfield said. “It is all about integration with how we do business. It is not working harder, it is not about working longer, it is about bringing to the resources together.”

To read “Art of the Possible,” click here.