AFMC Command News

Integrated process team addresses logistics issues

  • Published
  • By Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  The consolidation of supply chain activities into the Air Force Global Logistics Support Center presented a fresh opportunity to address some systemic issues in how the Defense Logistics Agency supports the Air Force.

Leaders representing both organizations received an update on these issues along with recommendations during a Dec. 12 close-out briefing at Scott Air Force Base, Ill.

Maj. Gen. Gary McCoy, AFGLSC commander, along with Brig. Gen. Andrew Busch, the commander of Defense Supply Center Richmond -- the aviation supply and demand chain manager for DLA -- were among those who attended the briefing from a joint integrated process team. General Busch, along with AFGLSC vice commander Col. Brent Baker Sr., signed the charter for the integrated process team in March. The team was tasked with identifying critical supply chain issues and providing solutions.

Among the integrated process team's goals were:

> Determine roles and responsibilities for AFGLSC and DLA, strategically and at the process task level.
> Present recommendations on how to best develop a true collaborative partnership.
> Develop interim and long-term processes to address ERP-related issues.
> Determine how to integrate DLA into the AFGLSC Fusion Center concept.
> Provide a timeline and way-ahead to implement the team's recommendations.
> Develop plan for integrating DLA and AFGLSC Fusion Center concepts.
> Define the issues between DLA and AFGLSC, including:
   -- Incorporate AF weapon system-specific availability targets into DLA processes in a meaningful way
   -- Develop standardized processes to deal with customer support issues ranging from the tactical (stock-outs) to the strategic (business planning, transformation)
   -- DLA and AFGLSC work together on collaborative planning, sourcing strategies, distribution planning, and other methods of optimizing the supply chain for consumable items and sourcing strategies for DLRs
   -- Develop a comprehensive communications plan
   -- Determine the need for one or more embedded DLA representatives/analysts at AFGLSC facilities, to include customer support representatives with the authority to resolve issues. If this position is recommended, determine/define roles and responsibilities
   -- DLA and AFGLSC Supply Chain Strategy and Integration work to determine enterprise level metrics and performance indicators that can be drilled down to provide real-time issue identification/ resolution
   -- DLA and AFGLSC Supply Chain Operations work together to determine
release sequences for items

Outcomes for some sub-integrated process team topics (in bold) include:

> Updated Performance Based Agreement Annex 7 that includes documented target setting process with defined roles and responsibilities for weapons system specific availability targets.
> Updated Performance Based Agreement Annex 7 with current metrics and performance indicators, roles and responsibilities, as well as an annex revision schedule for enterprise level metrics.
> Develop and document sourcing process models including roles, responsibilities, accountabilities, and governance for sourcing strategies.
> Defined future state distribution process, roles and responsibilities for distribution planning.
> Develop and document a repeatable process, roles and responsibilities, and definitions to reduce inventory for inventory reduction.

General McCoy said he was impressed with the scope and depth of issues tackled by the integrated process team.

"In addition to providing recommendations for immediate implementation, this effort has laid a foundation for a productive relationship between the AFGLSC and a major partner," General McCoy said. "The team is wrapping up, but our efforts to work with the supply chain professionals in DLA to improve warfighter support have only begun."

General Busch also praised the work done by the integrated process team.

"Noteworthy was the building of relationships to sustain the AFGLSC and DLA engagement over the long term," General Busch said. "Logistics is a complex and detailed business and when we work through the issues addressed today we'll definitely have a more efficient supply chain and improved support to the warfighter."