SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- A week-long meeting to turn ancillary training into a base standard is a strenuous process for 12 Airmen. The week is part of an Air Force Smart Operations 21 program to standardize ancillary training for every squadron.
Each Airman was involved in monitoring training for their unit, so they all had many different inputs on the subject. It boiled down to setting up ancillary training for the brand new Airman to the civilian contractor.
Everything was covered for all situations they might encounter as unit training managers.
AFSO 21 is exactly how it sounds, smart operations for the Air Force. Air Force leaders encourage Airmen to work smarter especially during a time when downsizing is already in the works. Eventually Airmen will be trained in many other different aspects of their job.
This value stream analysis for ancillary training is designed to correct the problems with the people that deal with them on a day to day basis.
"The program will highlight the importance of this training and show how broad of a scale it affects everybody," said Senior Airman Brittany Lawson, 20th Operations Group unit training manager.
They focused on key problems in training such as roles and responsibilities, requirements and tracking. This helped the team design standardized reporting to unit training managers as a "one stop shop," which eliminated the need for hard copy certificates. As a result, it would save the base $4,160 in paper. Another part of the plan was to design a supplement for these procedures.
Finally, each member of the team was to brief Col. Ted Uchida, 20th Mission Support Group commander.
"This is going to impact everyone on base in a positive way," said Col. Ted Uchida. "I encourage all Airmen to get involved, take a look at your organization's process and make the appropriate changes to streamline the way you do business. Not only will your unit benefit, the Air Force will."