Complex closes out fiscal 2016 with 182 aircraft

  • Published
  • By Jenny Gordon
  • Robins Public Affairs

For Brig. Gen. John Kubinec, the continued mission success the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex experienced in 2016 is a direct result of “having the ‘best on the planet’ professional workforce, a strong, collaborative partnership with our union, amazing civilian leadership and the Art of the Possible production system.”

The complex had a record year in fiscal 2015 with 217 aircraft produced, more than any other period in the last several years. Kubinec, WR-ALC commander, said the continuance of that outstanding performance in fiscal year 2016 speaks to how processes have been institutionalized across the entire complex. He said ensuring strong support of the skilled, professional complex work force was a vital key for production success.

“Our goal now is to continue to build upon those gains to ensure this system and performance is sustainable for the long-term, for the readiness of our Air Force and for the defense of our nation,” said Kubinec, who was also the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center vice commander in 2011. He returned to Robins this past summer.

“The Air Force has the smallest fleet we’ve ever had and the oldest. It’s now more critical than ever to our national defense. We must continue to perform and improve – it’s what our nation demands of us,” he said.

In fiscal 2016, which ended Sept. 30, a total of 182 aircraft were produced by the complex.

Seven C-5s were produced in fiscal 2016, making this the fifth consecutive year the 559th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron has achieved a 100 percent on-time due date performance, or DDP.

In the 562nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 44   C-17s were produced, which amounts to a 98 percent DDP.
There were 64 C-130s produced in 2016 in the 560th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, four more than originally planned. Its DDP stood at an 85 percent DDP for the year.

In the 561st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 67 F-15s were produced, finishing the fiscal year with a 35.8 percent DDP.

In the 402nd Commodities Maintenance Group, commodity lines produced 34,947 units in fiscal 2016, over 1,000-plus additional units than planned.
The 402nd Electronics Maintenance Group produced 60,725 units, with over 5,086 more assets than had been planned at the beginning of the year.
The 402nd Software Maintenance Group completed 239 projects, over 30 more than also originally planned.

And the 402nd Maintenance Support Group, with PMEL calibrations, conducted 27,990 preventive maintenance actions to keep the production plants running smoothly.

Why it matters

Everyone must work together to do the important work of a depot, to provide readiness to our Air Force and enable warfighters to be successful, Kubinec said. Commodities and electronics maintenance groups worked diligently to increase parts availability and ensure assets are there when the warfighter needs them.

In particular, he cited this year’s success story of Robins’ support of Air Force Special Operations Command’s MC-130H Combat Talon and AC-130U gunships. This aggressive C-130 AFSOC Acceleration Plan included programmed depot maintenance in fiscal 2016 of six high-demand aircraft by members of the 560th AMXS, with support from throughout the WR-ALC production machine.

Ongoing CPI efforts in the squadron have served as a model for production lines throughout Robins to learn how to accelerate a production machine and to better understand critical paths and reduction of flow days, according to Kubinec.

“This has been a great example of continuous process improvement, and putting Art of the Possible into action,” said Kubinec, referring to the Air Force Sustainment Center’s approach that incorporates scientific production principles and the AFSC leadership model, which places emphasis on process discipline and accountability.

He added, “The warfighter is very pleased as we are meeting and exceeding their expectations. Bottom line is we’re putting those weapon systems back in the fight sooner, and that’s what is most important.”

While production numbers are important, he said it’s about providing readiness to the warfighter, something the complex can’t lose sight of.

Taking care of people

One area that takes priority when it comes to taking care of the workforce concerns safety statistics.

The WR-ALC saw a 55 percent reduction this past year in the number of personal injuries reported.

“For the first time, our TCIR and DART rates have met the industry standard,” said Kubinec, referring to Total Case Incident Rate and Days Away Restricted Transfer numbers. “This has been possible with the work done through the Voluntary Protection Program and the strong partnership with our union.”

“It is our commitment to our workforce to provide them with the safest possible working environment,” he continued. “We’ll continue to do that, and to get better as a priority every single day.”

Almost every weapon system in the Air Force inventory is supported from somewhere in the complex. As the WR-ALC looks to the future, focus will remain on its people, continuing on the same path as before, and working together as a whole – a “team of teams” among AFSC’s three air logistics complexes at Robins, Ogden and Tinker.

“We can’t do it alone. It takes an entire enterprise across AFSC to really make the improvements and performance we’ve had here,” he said. 

The general said the attention gained from outside the Air Force is indicative of WR-ALC’s success in working as part of a larger team and utilizing AoP concepts. The complex recently hosted joint service visitors from the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center Southwest, who wanted to learn more about AoP and performance gains achieved to date. Other upcoming joint support includes a Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. visit, AoP briefing at the 12th Luther G. Jones Army Aviation Sustainment Forum, and visit from Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif.

“Robins should be very proud of the work performed here. We are in demand right now. People are asking how we’ve achieved the kind of production we’ve had, how we’ve made improvements. We’ve set the standard in implementing Art of the Possible, and people are recognizing it. We are all in this together in defense of our nation.”