4th CMS gets lean after AFSO 21 event

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Larry Sepassi
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  The 4th Component Maintenance Squadron propulsion flight met with squadron representatives, Air Combat Command, Pratt and Whitney, and National Guard propulsion flight representatives in a collaborative effort to streamline maintenance processes in the spirit of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century concept Sept. 17-21.

"The Air Force has recently experienced a series of dramatic changes that have shaken many of the current assumptions," said John Allen, who works in the ACC AFSO 21 office. "It is clear that change is inevitable and the basic reaction is, 'How am I going to have to change?' AFSO 21 was born out of the realization that change can't come as an increased burden to the Airmen. Change must come as the result of getting rid of things that do not add value to the customer."

Earlier this year, the 4th CMS propulsion flight was designated the Air Force's 'pilot' F-100 engine's Centralized Intermediate Repair Facility. The flight's engine production would increase as Langley Air Force Base's 71st Aircraft Maintenance Unit transfers their F-100 intermediate repair capability to accommodate the F-22A Raptor engine.

In turn, the F-100 engines at Langley would be shipped to the 4th CMS for intermediate-level maintenance.

Seymour Johnson's engine CIRF was originally scheduled to open Oct. 1. However, the engine pipeline was accelerated when the 4th CMS received two F-16s in April from Luke AFB, Ariz., in order to be modified to F-15C engines for Langley AFB.

The forecasted engine production was expected to increase from 131 engines per year to approximately 191 engines per year.

Using AFSO 21 concepts, a team was formed to address any efficiency problems in the F-100s engine overhaul process.

The variety of experience levels ranged from chief master sergeants through airmen first class, as well as various engine maintenance backgrounds.

The challenge for the Propulsion LEAN team is to streamline the process and increase engine repair productivity for CIRF requirements. In accomplishing this objective, the team mapped out the engine repair process to find solutions to increase engine technician efficiency.

"The team developed a comprehensive knowledge of mapping the process and collecting data to identify areas of improvement," said Tameka White, a LEAN expert for Pratt and Whitney. "The success of this event will be evident as they continue to drive lean concepts to make them a part of their operating system. AFSO 21 is guiding them in the right direction and through the expansion of the concepts, will lead this team to great success."