Materiel support - for depot operations

Air Force Journal of Logistics, Spring, 2003 by Robert E. Mansfield, Jr, Garry B. Richey, Andy Gell

Air Force supply and maintenance functions operate under multiple layers of policy. These policies are critical to effective support to the warfighter: they identify standard processes and procedures, define reporting requirements, and serve as the institutional knowledge for how maintenance and repair operations should be performed across the Air Force logistics community. During the review phase of Depot Maintenance Reengineering and Transformation (DMRT), the Materiel Support Focus Area Team observed three broad issues that limited the effectiveness of policies designed to ensure parts supportability for depot operations.

First, the Review Team recognized that, over time, portions of the existing set of policies became counterproductive and were not driving desired performance. After identifying specific areas where policy was no longer up to date, the team established a process to review and revise Air Force Materiel Command materiel support policies to clearly reflect Air Force support objectives. Some of the areas addressed include management review codes, supply support requests, and local purchase policies. The compliance processes were emphasized to implement the guidance in a standardized fashion and produce consistent results across multiple maintenance and repair activities.

Many of the processes and systems developed to support air and space expeditionary force operations were not adequately addressed by existing guidance and required new policies for effective implementation. Examples include the interoperability of Air Force forecasting systems with the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) ongoing Business Systems Modernization effort, procedures for filling back orders when automated systems fail, and procedures for ordering parts for the Depot Maintenance Activity. In each case, the Focus Area Team developed and is implementing a process to ensure rapid development of consistent policy guidance and mechanisms for monitoring policy implementation and utilization.

Finally, the Review Team noted shortfalls in stockage policies that did not support depot operations, especially low-demand items. Levels for all types of items will not be increased, but an evaluation will be conducted to determine appropriate items and quantities required to best support depot maintenance activities. Low-demand items will be analyzed to determine if the investment to stock these items is justified. If so, a consistent stockage strategy will be implemented to ensure these items are available when required. Additionally, DLA stockage policy has been renegotiated to retain levels on some low- or no-demand parts required by depot maintenance activities.

In summary, the DMRT materiel support efforts will streamline processes and improve parts availability to improve depot throughput and productivity. By systematically reviewing policies across the board, the depot maintenance activities will ultimately receive better parts support.

General Mansfield is Special Assistant for Supply Chain Integration and Logistics Transformation, Deputy Chief of Staff for Installations and Logistics, Headquarters Air Force. Mr Richey is Deputy Director, Supply Management, Directorate of Logistics, Air Force Materiel Command. Wing Commander Gell is Chief, Supply Chain Management and Analysis Branch, Directorate of Logistics, Air Force Materiel Command.