KC-46A equipment processing begins at McConnell

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Victor J. Caputo
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. (AFNS) --  Another step toward the KC-46A Pegasus flying over Kansas started late October as 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen began paving an innovative path through the maintenance equipment review process.

Instead of having the equipment ship from the manufacturer to the Defense Contract Management Agency in Seattle, Washington, the 22nd LRS is receiving and processing the items here. The innovation will save the Air Force both time and money as the "middle man" is eliminated from the process.

"This is a lot smoother, and it's now a one-stop shop," said Senior Master Sgt. Clinton Stone, the 22nd LRS material management flight superintendent. "The same hands inspect and process it, and communication is better because we're all used to working together already."

An initial team of two senior non-commissioned officers and a staff sergeant learned the system that DCMA uses to process equipment. The three-man team will train additional Airmen to bring the total number up to 15.

"I'm really happy to see some of our senior NCOs leading from the front like this," said Maj. Robert Magee, the 22nd LRS commander. "These outstanding Airmen are setting a new standard and will help make the arrival of the KC-46 a smooth process."

As the equipment arrives at McConnell, the processing team inspects each item to ensure it is in good condition, defect-free and in the proper quantity. They then run it through the DCMA system before inputting each item into the 22nd LRS internal system, finally communicating with the 22nd Maintenance Squadron for final acceptance and delivery.

"It's good to make some progress on the KC-46 equipment process," Stone said. "It's going to be a challenge up front, but once we get going, it's going to be a smooth, quick process."