LSET serves as wake-up call for Center Published Oct. 2, 2007 By 1st Lt. Sequoiya Lawson 78th ABW/PA Robins Air Force Base, Ga. -- While the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center had a list of strong individual and team performers during our recent Logistics Standardization Evaluation Team inspection, the results served as a "wake-up call" for Warner Robins Air Logistics Center. "I'm extremely disappointed in the overall ratings because I know our WR-ALC team is better than the scores reflect," said Maj. Gen. Tom Owen, Center commander. "My near-term game plan is for the Center's leadership team to first analyze the report and detailed findings, then compare and contrast with our own knowledge of the status of our organizations." The Center's overall grade was Marginal, on a five-tier scale with highest to lowest ratings being Outstanding, Excellent, Satisfactory, Marginal and Unsatisfactory. On the positive side, a long list of superior performers was cited for their work, in addition to the 330th Aircraft Sustainment Wing receiving an excellent overall rating. "What's important to note is that we continue to outperform Air Force and Air Force Materiel Command standards in aircraft on-time delivery, reducing parts back ordered - resulting in quality aircraft being delivered to the warfighter," said General Owen. The report analysis will include taking a look at documented issues found in preparing for the LSET inspection, unit self inspections, the August 2006 Unit Compliance Inspection and other assessments, General Owen said. Most of the units are doing well, with 82 percent receiving a satisfactory or better, but some have problems the Center needs to address immediately, General Owen said. "We will address not just the root cause analysis of our problems, but put in place a more comprehensive plan to get well," the general said. "This will include more intensive corrective actions than we have taken in the past, more thorough follow-up, and most difficult - but most importantly - identify and then work to improve workforce 'people' issues." General Owen believes if the Center can implement a successful Voluntary Protection Program, which stresses workforce ownership of safety, it will go a long way to improving performance across many areas. "We will do this as a team and I expect a spirit of cooperation, positive attitudes, and personal ownership of responsibilities," he said. "We must now focus our efforts in a safe and healthy environment and re-establish the momentum of improved warfighter support we've had going for the last four or five years." The LSET team brought about 60 inspectors and graded 83 units during the two-week inspection covering every aspect of logistics and supply chain management. It is a multi-event, compliance-and-performance-based evaluation divided into aerospace and equipment maintenance, munitions, supply chain management areas and logistics readiness functions. Colonel Peter Robichaux, AFMC LSET team chief, said the Sept. 21 out-brief culminated two weeks of intense inspections. "We are a mile wide and a mile deep," Colonel Robichaux said. "There is a lot of good work going on out there." An Operational Readiness Inspection is scheduled for the Center in April 2008, which will include an emergency management exercise and targeted compliance inspection as two additional components. "Every inspection, no matter the final outcome, gives us an opportunity to improve," said Col. Warren Berry, 78th Air Base Wing vice commander. "That external look by experts in their respective fields can only make us better." Colonel Berry said the ORI represents an opportunity to excel and to turn the LSET ratings completely around. "We have amazing, professional Airmen working in this ALC and in our wing, and we have assembled a top-notch team to help us get ready," he said.