Everyone can be AFSO 21

Published June 1, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Brian Wyche
Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century

MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- What does an individual do if they question the processes or procedures within their work center? What if they feel there are some unnecessary steps that could be eliminated to make a process flow better? Perhaps during the last inspection a repeat finding was identified. How exactly would a person go about determining the possible problem areas to ensure it will not reoccur for the next inspection?

For the answer to these questions, look no further than to Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century (AFSO 21) and the 5th Bomb Wing AFSO 21 office.

So what exactly is AFSO 21?

AFSO 21 is a program designed to give Airmen the tools to look at processes as a whole and lay them out to identify steps that do not add value, are redundant or deemed as wasteful. The program aids with identifying the root cause of the issue, produce a plan of action, track results and standardize the new and improved process. AFSO 21 generates a mindset to analyze these problems and identify opportunities for improvement. It also creates an environment that assists Airmen in continuously improving their processes.

How does AFSO 21 affect me?

Almost every activity in the Air Force involves some form of process. It doesn't matter what we do or where we work. So how exactly does the program affect us? As a matter of fact this program is not a new concept. "Smart Ops" is a mindset already set in the mentality of Airmen whether they know it or not. It's that one Airman that asks the question, "Why" and takes action to fix the process so that it makes sense, saves time and effort, and saves resources.

AFSO 21 is the crew chief questioning why he must walk 200 feet to another hangar to grab a specific tool, then coming up with a simple solution of creating a new storage system within all the hangars. Keeping specific tools needed in designated hangars instead of having them all in one central area.

AFSO 21 is the air traffic controller seeing ramp lights illuminating large areas of empty tarmac, wasting over $200,000 per year of electricity and coming up with the idea of installing radio frequency switches on each light pole and controlling them from the control tower.

AFSO 21 is the customer service Airman who realizes it takes a new member who PCSs to the base almost 360 hours to complete an in-processing checklist. By creating Sponsor, Computer Account, and Administrative duties checklists, in addition to a checklist tracker, the total in-processing time was reduced to a mere four hours. A 356-hour difference!

Using AFSO 21 isn't just a great idea...it's every Airman's job. Every Air Force specialty can utilize "Smart Ops" to directly improve the mission. This program creates an environment where all ranks and all levels can make a difference in their work areas.

AFSO 21 events are already happening at Minot AFB. According to Lt. Col. Jon Dawson, 5th Bomb Wing inspector general, AFSO 21 techniques were used to improve processes after a recent Nuclear Surety Inspection. They have also been used to improve efficiencies within the Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) shop.

If you have questions or would like further training or assistance with process improvements, contact the 5th BW AFSO 21 office at 723-1421 or email brian.wyche@minot.af.mil.