Squadron streamlines process, deployments made easier

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Peter Christ
  • 1st Combat Communications Squadron
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Members of the 1st Combat Communications Squadron are utilizing the Air Force Smart Operations 21 initiative to assess and improve the way they conduct post-deployment inspections. The inspections are part of a critical process required to ensure that all returning equipment is properly prepared to deploy again.

Recent changes made to the post-deployment process are a direct result of the squadron's first AFSO 21 Rapid Improvement Event. The five-day event was conducted in an effort to eliminate waste and streamline post deployment procedures.

As European and African commands' number one choice for providing theater-wide deployable communication, members of the 1st CBCS are continuously returning from deployments and immediately preparing to deploy again. Although the post deployment inspection process was working effectively, members knew that it could be improved. Prior to the RIE, the equipment inspection work area was highly disjointed, forcing technicians to travel the length of the facility numerous times in order to complete the inspection process. Additionally, no standard inspection procedures existed, often causing the process to vary from one work center to another.

Following the week-long event, in which team members analyzed the current process, developed potential improvements and implemented a concept plan, technicians were presented with a waste-free, streamlined process.

The new inspection procedures and consolidated work area have eliminated unnecessary movement and standardized the complex process of returning equipment to deployable status. Additionally, the new process has added a production board, allowing leaders to receive instant updates on post-deployment status to include inspection dates, errors identified during quality checks, and required corrective measures. Overall, the 1st CBCS RIE resulted in multiple process efficiency improvements and the elimination of waste.

The new process and transformed work were put to the test Dec. 17 when the unit received pallets from a recently concluded exercise. Members of the satellite communications work center immediately noticed the improvements.

"AFSO 21 is really paying huge dividends," said Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Zugg. "As a technician, it is much easier to have a consolidated area to perform these important inspections."

Master Sgt. Dan Wolgast, a member of the 1st CBCS RIE team said, "It was great to be part of the team from planning to implementation. I was anxious to see if the process would be fluent for the technicians. Despite a few minor changes, I am very pleased with the outcome."

"It is absolutely fantastic to see the ideas of our young Airmen being put into practice on a large task such as this," said Lt. Col. Joe Sublousky, 1st CBCS commander. "This RIE is part of a larger squadron initiative, streamlining our entire deployment process to eliminate waste and improve upon our ability to provide critical connectivity anywhere in our AOR."