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Spring Cleaning in January: 375th AW takes AFSO21 to next level

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chris Stagner
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The 375th Airlift Wing took full advantage of Air Force Smart Ops 21 this week when they had 'Spring Cleaning in January.'

The units in the wing used the AFSO21 initiative as an opportunity to streamline processes according to Lt. Col. Jim Meek, 375th AW Exercises and Inspection deputy chief and AFSO21 Operations chief.

"The goal of any [Sort, Straight, Shine, Standardize, Sustain, Safety] event is to standardize how we operate daily and ensure we can access those items, assets or materials required to accomplish the mission," he said. "In an efficient work place, everything is within reach and accessible within 30 seconds to a minute. If we can make that goal a reality throughout the wing, Airmen will have easier, more efficient work days while contributing to safer work environments and healthy work experiences."

That was the motivation behind the 'Spring Cleaning in January' AFSO21 initiative.

"We need to eliminate those things that impede how we do our daily work and organize the ones that make our work environment easier," said the colonel. "What we're doing will contribute to eliminating the waste we all have each day by removing those obstacles or impediments that complicate how we operate."

The week wasn't to simply have organizations clean their areas. One of the goals was to save the wing money and man hours.

"There's no way for us to put a dollar figure on how much the wing is going to save from this, but we do have goals," said Colonel Meek. "Air Mobility Command accomplished a similar program recently, and in one move alone they were able to turn over 500 computers for a cost savings of $900,000. We're hoping to not only repeat those kinds of successes, but build on them as well."

The savings are hoped to reach beyond a dollar value, though. The AFSO21 Operations chief is hoping this endeavor will create a new mentality of reutilization and teamwork in the wing's organizations.

"It's 'Spring Cleaning in January,'" said the colonel. "If there's something an organization no longer needs or hasn't used in the last three months, they're making it available for someone who might need it. With things being reutilized in other areas, we may discover we actually have more storage space than we've had in the past."

The program is one that was embraced by organizations within the wing.

"We went ahead and started it earlier," said Master Sgt. Anthony Clay, 375th Mission Support Squadron first sergeant. "We inventoried and turned in a great deal of [Automated Data Processing Equipment], removed furniture that wasn't being used to create more office space and redistributed some supplies that we haven't been using."

Though meeting the program's vision required a little time, it was time well invested according to the first sergeant.

"It's a win, win situation since all of the items we're not using will reinvest money into other offices on base," he said. "Speaking as an old logistics troop, this is a much needed initiative. It's something we should all be doing as day-to-day practice, and I'm glad to see people taking it for what it's worth and doing the right thing."