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Show HILLTOP TIMES } TIME S Aug. 30, 2012 PARTNERSHIPS From page 1 Assistant Secretary of Defense for Maintenance Policy and Programs. The office serves as proponent for the sustainment community and sets conditions for government and industry partnerships. "I want to collaborate between government and industry and create a solution path that improves our ability to create public-private partnerships. Second, I'd like to foster the sense of community across the practitioners of public-private partnerships so we have an effective communication means to enable continuous process improvement." The conference included tours of landing gear production, F-16 production and avionics at Hill Air Force Base, as well as sessions to discuss contracting, business case analyses and metrics related to partnering. Outbriefs and recommendations were presented by DoD and industry speakers. Two issues discussed were process maturity and metrics. "We have the public-private partnership as a tool available to the government and industry. Use is authorized by statute and is encouraged by DoD instruction," Sutton said. "It has evolved in different places in different ways — an earmark of emerging process maturity. Since the processes have emerged separately in different places, the procedures have evolved in different ways. We are looking at collecting the best practices and applying them across the Department of Defense." He said partnership success has been measured differently, creating a challenge to identify the most relevant information. "In two extreme camps, one camp believes the measurement should be regimented and structured in the same way," Sutton said. "Another may say every partnership is unique and special and government isn't needed to measure success — they want to work that out between partners. There are benefits in both schools of thought, and a common middle ground that says you can have standards that are applicable on a case-by-case basis. We're seeking to achieve that middle ground." SAFETY From page 1 problem. Do your part to be a safe, defensive driver. As we all know, accidents happen no matter what time of year it is. If you are like me, this is the time of year when we are trying to get all of those things done we have been putting off until the weather cools off. While we are catching up on our "things we put off until it gets cooler" list, take your time and thoroughly plan your daily activities. Think safety. We don't want to see any injuries as a result of trying to BILL ORNDORFF/U.S. Air Force Sandra Fitzgerald (center), director of the 573rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, tours participants in the Office of the Secretary of Defense-Aerospace Industrial Association Public-Private Partnership Workshop through an F-16 production line. The tour helped participants see where partnerships are used in a depot setting. "I personally see partnership as the single most effective tool to improve performance and protect critical capabilities available to the industrial base." JOHN SUTTON, conference director and the Director for Industrial Base Planning within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Maintenance Policy and Programs With information gathered at this workshop and others, OSD and the Aerospace Industry Association are initiating process improvement projects and planning for the second annual meeting in September 2013 at another maintenance activity yet to be determined. "This is the first in what we hope to be a series of annual workshops so we can reconvene on a yearly basis," Sutton said. "This workshop creates projects that can be ongoing with virtual participation and attendance by do too much all at once. Every once in a while, step back and take a deep breath and enjoy the upcoming fall weather. All too soon the weather will be unpredictable and this hot dry weather will be just a memory. And soon we will need to refresh our skills on the dangers of wet weather driving. There are even more skills to polish up when the roads become slippery. If you are new to the area pay attention at all times while walking or driving. Wet roads and walkways create the possibility of black ice. The worst thing you can do is be in a hurry in the wintertime. When traveling locally or out on your vacation please keep safe driving practices in mind. those who attended here this week on a voluntary basis to further the findings and execute continuous process improvement projects between now and the next time we get together." Started in the early 1990s, partnering is, as Sutton calls it, a "win-winwin-win situation," as it benefits depots such as Hill, industrial firms, the war fighter and the DoD program manager. The depots are able to preserve their skilled workforce and enhance their operating efficiency, and have access to technical support and new invest- TRAFFIC From page 1 months represent one quarter of the year, approximately 31 percent of traffic fatalities occur during that time. The Utah Safety Council encourages everyone to drive safely, have a fun holiday and to remember that whatever the activity, protect yourself and your family by practicing safe habits. For more information about safe driving or other safety resources, please visit www. . utahsafetycouncil.org SAFE DRIVING AND TRAVELING TIPS The Utah Safety Council offers motorists the following safe driving and traveling tips: " Do not drink and drive. " Always wear your safety belt and buckle your children in an appropriate child safety seat or safety belt for their age and size. Always place children under 13 years of age in the back seat. Never place a rear-facing child restraint in front of a passenger side air bag. " If the need arises to use your cell phone while behind the wheel, pull over. Don't text message or make and receive calls until you are no longer driving. " Plan ahead. Have your vehicle inspected and tuned, allow plenty of travel time, and bring games and toys to keep children entertained. Fight fatigue by getting plenty of sleep prior to travel and take rest stops every 90 minutes. " Slow down and drive the speed limit. Speeding continues to be the No. 1 contributing factor in fatal crashes. " During bad weather, slow down and increase your following distance. Pull over and wait out the storm if necessary. " Respect other travelers by keeping a safe following distance, merging correctly and using turn signals. " Take extra precautions when traveling near large trucks and give them extra driving room. They have larger blind spots and take longer to slow down and stop. For more information, or for other safety resources please visit www.utahsafetycouncil.org . .44 ments. Industry can avoid investing in duplicate capabilities and engage in long-term agreements. The war fighter sees an increase in reliability of products, and improvements in logistical support and response. The program manager avoids investing in duplicate capabilities, becomes a single point of accountability and complies with statutes. "I personally see partnership as the single most effective tool to improve performance and protect critical capabilities available to the industrial base," Sutton said. "One clear benefit is if we can find the complementary services or solutions that the industry or the government partner provides, those sweet spots are often where proficiency and ability to deliver reside. By combining those together, we get the synergy that delivers the best value to the warfighter." "The strength of the Air Force Sustainment Center is our dedicated, competent and professional workforce." LT. GEN. BRUCE LITCHFIELD, Air Force Sustainment Center commander AFSC From page 1 just how high the bar needs to be. "Our end goal is to achieve 'Art of the Possible' and that means world-class results. And by 'world class' I don't mean the standard definition, I mean by Ryan Lochte's definition ... the world record," the general said. Litchfield said leadership at all levels of the center must not only set high standards, but also enable their people to reach them. "The strength of the Air Force Sustainment Center is our dedicated, competent and professional workforce," said Litchfield. "When given the right focus, they have repeatedly demonstrated the capacity to do remarkable things." Defining the target of that focus is part of what the leadership team from across the AFSC tackled during the conference. The team collaborated on a new vision statement and positioned the center to align its goals and objectives with those of Air Force Materiel Command and the Air Force. The general told the leadership team that AFSC's capacity to generate more cost-effective sustainment products is vital to help the Air Force create the capability of winning the next war. "The cost of readiness will be a major factor in shaping the size of our force," said the general. While pointing out that the center is already demonstrating impressive successes, he stressed that the gateway to cost-effective sustainment is through a commitment to continuous process improvement and "The Art of the Possible." "We never stop getting better," he said. "It isn't just about looking good. It's about being good!" |