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Show H3StDp$& October 7, 1999 acte to B as ics Depot maiiit by Maj. Gen. Richard Roellig . Ogden ALC commander -- The Ogden Air Logistics Center is entering an era of opportunity to shape its future approach to depot maintenance. Air Force Materiel Command's "Back to Basics" program is an effort to improve the work processes we follow in ensuring compliance with Air Force technical requirements. DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR HEADQUARTERS WRIGHT-PATTERSON This is consistent with efforts throughout the Air Force to emphasize the fundamentals of good maintenance discipline at every level. Strict compliance with MEMORANDUM FOR ALL ALC PERSONNEL FROM: AFMCCC 4375 ChidlawRdStl n AFB OH these requirements through process discipline and sound management prac- tices will continue to enhance our business practices and satisfy our many customers. The "Back to Basics" approach stems from a Depot Maintenance Review directed by General Babbitt to evaluate the performance of AFMC's organic depots in conducting maintenance and repair operations. The results of the were formulated from evaluation visits to the three, impacted air logistics centers in June and July. Overall, we learned the Command is providing reasonable assurance of technical compliance and that our customers are generally satisfied with our products. However, the review also Wright-Patterso- SUBJECT: 45433-500- 1 "Back to Basics" of Depot Maintenance For the men and women working in Air Force Materiel Command's Air Logistics Centers, the past several months have been busy, challenging and with our recent success in Kosovo rewarding. We support an Air Force inventory of more than 6,000 aircraft and 22,000 engines: That's ten times the number supported by America's largest airline.. Add to that the yearly repair of approximately: 445,000 aircraft, engine and missile components. Even with the sheer size and scope of our mission, we've continued to produce quality products and keep our numerous customers satisfied. 1. re - . . self-assessme- nt non-closu- FORCE MATERIEL COMMAND AIR FORCE BASE. OHIO 2. To continue to ensure our maintenance operations produce quality products and do riot put our workers or customers at risk, I believe we must continually examine whether our processes are as good as they can be. This is part of exercising sound business practices. I recently commissioned an AFMC team to evaluate the performance of our depots in conducting maintenance and repair operations. Overall, we learned the command is pro viding reasonable assurance of technical compliance and again, our customers are satisfied. But we also found that we sometimes view quality as the acceptance by our customers and place so much emphasis on schedules and cost that it often overshadows positive control of our internal processes. production highlighted areas where improvements could be made. These areas include technical data, personnel qualifications, tools and equipment and process discipline. By renewing our focus on internal processes, we ensure more standardized and effective products for our customers. More importantly, we guarantee a safer work environment for all our people. One such initiative is to ensure all headquarters policy clearly communicates exactly what is expected of employees at each air logistics center. This includes separating fundamental policy from procedural information, separating the current quality management and production acceptance certification instruction into two separate instructions, and emphasizing mandatory compliance with all published guidance. Additionally, we are going to evaluate the training we provide to our workforce to make sure employees receive necessary training for any task they are asked to do. We know that quality, cost and schedule are inseparable and effective processes emphasize and . end-produ- ct 3.1 am asking each of you to j oin this command-wid- e effort to get "Back to the Basics" of depot maintenance. The results of our suggest that improved quality management focused on the integrity of technical processes will result in a safer work environment for you and more standardized and effective products for our customers. You will be hearing more about specific recommendations for improving our technical processes through your work centers. self-assessme- nt 4. We are often up against tough production schedules and tight budgets, but we cannot, under any circumstances, let these determine our level of technical compliance. Quality, cost and schedule are inseparable. Good processes emphasize all three. Whether you're a manager, a workload planner or an engine mechanic, we must all face the challenges ahead with a personal commitment to ensuring our processes and products strictly comply with Air Force technical there is no room for compromise. By refocusing on the basics of the requirements maintenance business, our Air Logistics Centers and this command can continue to enjoy our solid reputation of maintaining the best products for the world's best Air Force. A ET. BABBITT ensure balanced management of all three. ' General ,USAF Coming nder Also, we want to make sure our mechan- ics always have technical instructions when they're performing repairs, and we think we can improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of how we develop technical data and how we keep it current. The same applies to training for our mechanics. Here we foresee a solid benefit from increased centralization and standardization within our product lines. Despite the sheer size, scope and complexity of daily operations, we remain confident in the quality of products produced. We have a dedicated and experienced workforce and some of the finest facilities and equipment in the aviation business. What we've identified with "Back to Basics" were areas for improvement. We have an enduring interest in making sure main- tenance operations produce quality products, and that the methods used do not put workers or customers at risk. In addition, technically compliant processes also will reduce cost and schedule through less and fewer ; . It is clear that accountability resides not only with the technician but also with management and senior leadership whose responsibility is to identify areas for improvement in our depot re-wo- work-around- s. "Air Force people building the world's most respected Air and Space Force Quality Systems for America 's Air Force Hilltop Times not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute, endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or MorMedia, Inc., 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 in Bldg. 1102, second floor. Call Ext. with story ideas or comments, or send to ' Published by MorMedia, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Hilltop Times are rk Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. TO PLACE AU ADVERTISEMENT, CALL maintenance program. As part of AFMC's "Back to Basics" approach, I'm asking every person working in the Ogden Air Logistics Center to renew their personal commitment to the technical disciplines of their jobs. Together, we can ensure a safer work environment and the Air Force's major weapon systems are ready to accom- plish their missions. J Global Power and Reach for America. " Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Maj. Gen. Rich Roellig Maj. Sam Hudspath. Bill Orndorff Mary Galbraith, Steven Ford : . . Deadlines: .' '. 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