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Show together as a team to support the aircraft and solve problems," she said. Prior to September, and tradition ally so for many years, directorate officials arranged employees according to career field. Segregated and disnot of their tanced from item managers, equipbackground, ment specialists and engineers laeach bored comfortably within their own realm, she said. Unfortunately, the benefit of putting all item managers into one location didn't translate into the most competent weapon system management, Ms. Hathenbruck said. "People in the field would call an item manager at one location, an engineer at another and a production manager at still another," she said. "The effort proved laborious and didn't make for a smooth process." In addition, and more ominous, the Ogden Air Logistics Center, work force's ability to support various Air Force aircraft, especially the Starlifter, was declining, according to members of the product team. by Ernie J. Shannon Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office Weapon system management and maintenance is taking a revolutionary turn for the better in the Directorate of Materiel Management and it could spread throughout the command some day. The revolution comes from a reorganizationthe grouping of everyone with responsibility for a particular aircraft into one working location. Each group is called a product team. "Under co-work- side-by-si- de t.he nlH svstfim. we had some weapons with major problems," said Jeanie Hathenbruck, logistics officer. "But since the reorganization, we've considerably improved our ability J to support the aircraft in the neia. However, with the advent of the product teams, improvement began immediately, according to Ms. Hathenbruck. "Things have improved so much. Communication is better and 1 - 9 9 we now find ourselves C-1- 41 C-1- 41 working bruck, they harmonize their unique and other . skills to support the aircraft. This way the item managers work closely with the equipment specialists in tandem with the engineers and logistics officer to complete a project within earshot of each other. Wayne Crosbie, an equipment specialist, agrees, "It helps. In the past we had to operate in four buildings, but now production time has improved, suspenses take much less time and the work gets done faster. It has also improved our quality," he "It got so bad that people at Robins AFB, Ga., had several aircraft which had gone through the maintenance cycle, but were still standing on the runway waiting for parts from us," Ms. Hathenbruck said. The same problem existed with Hercules at Robins and C--5 Galaxies at McClellan AFB, Calif. The leadership at Warner Robins ALC made their displeasure known. C-1- 41 C-1- Still, Hill employees performed their duties the best they could, according to Kathy Anderson, an item manager. She said less than adequate service from contractors contributed to the problem and a moribund system didn't help ease the shortage of parts for the scattered C-1- said. In fact, product team personnel report a keen competition between team members of the respective aircraft. "We are seeing this competition as well as a camaraderie among members, whereas before people tended to socialize with those in their career fields," Ms. Hathenbruck said. And most important, workers in the field are witnessing better support, according to Ms. Hathenbruck. team 41 members. Product teams consist of eight or nine people. Generally, three item managers augment several equipment specialists, an engineer or two, a production management specialist and a logistics officer. Together, according to Ms. Hathen Centennial Park site of carnival on May 19-2- 2 pilll llf ii lltillfl 111 IIIKI Discount tickets still available pispiiipiip It's almost carnival time and youth center officials are expecting a big crowd at the event at Hill AFB's Centennial set for May 'V' 19-2- 2 Park. iS'i-c-''- - $' , - Tr , , The carnival can be compared to a mini-fai- r because it will not only include the traditional amusement rides, but exhibits, food, game and beverage booths, entertainment and much more. Carnival hours will be 0 p.m. Thursday; 5 fr.rw. 5-1- May 21; Friday; 22. and noon-1p.m. May Proceeds from the carnival, which is also open to the public, will benefit base youth activity programs. During two carnival days, May 20 and 21, the youth center will be closed. Discount tickets, seven rides for $5, are on sale through Wednesday. Tickets bought at the carnival are 20 for $9, but up to four could be needed for one ride. Volunteers are still needed to help at booths. For more information or to volunteer, call the youth center staff at Exts. 72419 or 72892. p.m.-midnig- noon-midnig- ht ht 0 "4 "";.' K. " ... V : ' Her hands are full Mrs. Hansen Donna Hansen has her hands full with Eric.Butler at the base child care center. toured the child wife of Gen Alfred G. Hansen, commander of Air Force Logistics Command,with the wives of lunch had and units care center May 5. She also toured several other base first and chief master sergeants sergeants. Ogden Air Logistics Center's senior enlisted adviser, Continued from Page 1 The incentive for companies to join the program is a "tremendous market that is financially stable and with great volume," said Mr. Thorson. where "Nobody has ever put together a program one time and you could reach the entire service at volume." kind of have access to that include prequalification and Current proposals preapproval of mortgages, lower origination fees, reduced commissions and loan processing fees, consideration of expected spouse income and rental assistance. The companies believe they can save costs" while reducing members money in "up-froexpenses associatinconvenience and nt out-of-pock- et ed with a PCS move. ?UC Combat Itrenptw Through rail rnmnanv representatives. All business is between the individual and the company he chooses. The Air Force is not involved in any contracts and does not pay the companies to participate. Any transactions will be "member The Air Force is encouraging two other services in addition to what each participating company proposes. "We suggested the companies consider have number for a single point of contact ing a for the entire relocation and a nationwide network for their services," said Mr. Thorson. Members will be notified during their PCS briefing that some real estate companies are offering toll-fre- to vendor." "There is absolutely no contractual arrangement between the government and the company. The program brings together the market and the suppliers. From then on it is up to the companies to attract and sell the members on their particular product and company," said Mr. Thorson. If the program is successful, it may expand throughout the Department of Defense. relocation packages and to check with the housing office for more information. Names of those moving cannot be provided to the companies. Those interested can go to the housing office and research the different companies and services, and toflltlc ' , f nt fkA Air Pnnw. The appearance f advertisements in r ' me 5"' Published by MorMedia, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written Air contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise members of for authorized publication an is Force newspaper HiU Top Times the U.S. mil ary services. Contents of the endorsed or by, the of, views official are not necessarily the the or Defense Depart- of U S government, the Department r this publication, in-- ( eluding inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department, of the Air Force or MorMedia, Inc. 's of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office staff, Bldg. 1102, Room 118, Ext. 77321. -- Hill AFB Editorial Staff: Public Affairs Officer SSgt. Louis A. Co-Edito- Len Barry Arana-Barrada- s and Ralph C. Jensen Ernie Shannon Staff Writer: Deadlines: Editorial, 4 p.m. Monday, week of publication; "around the hill" items, 10 a m. Monday, week of publication; classified ads, 2 p.m. Wednesday, week of publication. |