Maintenance Group hosts AFSO 21 event

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Abigail Klein
  • 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. --  In an effort to further streamline and sustain the KC-135 Stratotanker fleet, recently McConnell hosted an Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century event Sept. 13 through 17.

The event, called the "KC-135 Points of use Parts Enterprise Event," involved 16 different units Air Force-wide, and affects the Air Force's more than 415 KC-135 Stratotanker fleet. It was the first of its kind to take place at McConnell.

"The main goal of this conference is to validate and make sure that each base is looking at same thing on every [KC-135], ensuring parts available, providing a common part listing to make sure each base will order the same parts, while also looking at supply system," said Master Sgt. David Jones, 22nd Maintenance Operations Squadron process manager. "This in turn helps increase part sustainability for the KC-135 fleet."

Because the average age of the tankers at McConnell is 49 years, the parts for the aircraft can be difficult to locate. Since the Stratotanker is still in high demand, the Air Force will continue to use them for many years to come. Allowing part sustainability decreases variability, and reduces the time the aircraft will be down for maintenance.

The members analyzed every single component of the KC-135, including wiring, hydraulic systems and engines, said Sergeant Jones.

The five-day event included members of National Guard, Reserve, United States Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Force, Air Force Material Command and Air Logistics Center, Global Logistics Supply Center from Scott Air Force Base, Ill., five AFSO 21 facilitators, 15 AFSO Green Belt candidates and approximately 30 McConnell Maintenance Group professionals.

"This event provided us a venue to share ideas and find out how other bases are operating at a [major command] level," said Capt. Tiffany Taylor, 22nd Air Refueling Wing AFSO 21 chief. "So many times, we get caught up in how each base operates, but this event highlighted other possibilities and ways for us to improve not just McConnell's fleet, but the entire KC-135 fleet."

During the event, approximately 13 best practices were identified Air Force-wide, which will help to streamline the maintenance and supply order process, limiting downtime and maintenance on KC-135s.

"This really is big deal for the KC-135 fleet because it helps us find ways to sustain the aircraft for years," Sergeant Jones said. "It's just one more piece in the puzzle to make sure the KC-135 keeps flying."