News

Team Robins Shines at LSET re-look

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. John Bryan
  • 78th ABW/PA
Robins Air Force Base, GA --  The Air Force Materiel Command Logistics Standardization and Evaluation Team returned last week for a second look at areas around Robins which were a concern during the September 2007 original LSET inspection, and noted many improvements.

Thirty-five inspectors from HQ AFMC and other AFMC bases evaluated the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Feb. 25-28, looking at aerospace and equipment maintenance, munitions, supply chain management and logistics readiness functions.

The result was positive - a good sign for the base, which faces an Operational Readiness Inspection in April.

"I am very proud of Team Robins," said Maj. Gen. Tom Owen, WR-ALC commander. "We took their September findings to heart, analyzed them, performed root cause analyses, and then set in place a deliberate corrective action plan for each area needing improvement."

General Owen said the workforce clearly demonstrated a commitment to continuously improving, to better support the warfighter and those providing relief around the world. He said Team Robins has made the base a better place to work and the preparation and hard work will carry over to the ORI in April.

"Desired changes in our culture and the way we do business are on course," said General Owen. "We embraced those changes and leaned forward to ensure we are a better and safer workforce. This bodes well for not only our upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection, but also for the long-term future of Robins."

In September the LSET inspection highlighted areas that required improvement in safety, accountability, documentation and procedures. The Center's overall grade then was 'Marginal', on a five-tier scale that included Outstanding, Excellent, Satisfactory, Marginal and Unsatisfactory.

While last week's report was not "graded," the team reported significant progress in all areas and gave the ALC and subordinate Wings a "green" rating on a scale that included green, yellow and red.

"This took a lot of hard work and attention to detail," said Dr. Steve Butler, WR-ALC executive director. "Leaders at Robins didn't just cover up the problems but rather, came up with new ways to meet and sustain effective and efficient business processes."

Dr. Butler said there is still work to do, like Robins getting more efficient without losing quality. He expects Team Robins to perform well in the upcoming ORI.

Tom Scott, AFGE Local 987 president, said the results demonstrate that Robins employees will be successful in any challenge they are given.

"I am pleased with the results of LSET reinspection," Mr. Scott said.

Brig. Gen. Mark Atkinson, 402nd Maintenance Wing commander, is also proud of the outcome of the LSET and personnel's achievements.

"When we looked at the last LSET report, the need for people to take personal accountability and follow prescribed safety practices was a big area we needed to work on, and we did just that. I admire our hard-working patriots who put on their game faces to get this right," he said.

The maintenance wing took the September LSET to heart and found ways to work better.

"The Maintenance Wing worked really hard to address the LSET Team's concerns from September," said Dana Stanley, 402nd Maintenance Wing Quality Assurance and Safety chief. "We put well thought out action plans in place, but it was truly the actions of the people on the floor that made the difference when the team returned. Our outstanding workforce rose to the occasion."

Not only were Center functions looked at, it took a total Team Robins effort to improve base processes.

"I'm proud of how our folks went above and beyond," said Col. Warren Berry, 78th Air Base Wing commander. "They didn't just fix the symptom; they fundamentally changed the way we do business. We're a better unit, providing better support because of it. Without a doubt, the Logistics Readiness Squadron and the Center as a whole raised their game."

Although he was pleased with the LSET results, Colonel Berry said personnel cannot afford to rest. "Our work is not yet done. So, we can be proud of the work we did, but must come back prepared to roll up our sleeves and get back to work. We still have an ORI to tackle."

Mr. Scott agreed.

"While this news is good, we must be vigilant in our next inspection in the coming months as well as keeping production and morale up at the level to support our warfighter," he said.