MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII -- Approximately 35 Marine Corps and Navy officers from the Naval Aviation Readiness Integrated Improvement Program, Naval Air Systems Command, San Diego, visited Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24, Marine Aircraft Group 24, at the Marine Corps Air Facility Oct. 3.
The officers conducted what they called a “boots-on-the-ground” tour of the facility in order to give representatives of NAVRIIP a better look at how well Enterprise AIRSpeed is working for MALS-24.
The AIRSpeed program is a system that ensures squadrons have the correct maintenance and support at the right time, said Capt. Leroy Sumter, AIRSpeed site officer, MALS-24.
This new program is made up of three components. The first is the “Theory of Constraint,” which identifies problems in the system and goes through the steps necessary to make the process more efficient. The second is the “Theory of Lean,” which reduces unnecessary waste in the system; and the third is the “Theory of Six Sigma,” a tool that eradicates defects in the process.
“With AIRSpeed, we look at things from the customer’s viewpoint,” said Sumter. “This system is to maintain and increase operations at lower costs and more efficiently.”
According to Sumter, the new system speeds up the process of getting the squadrons equipment and repair parts they need.
Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 implemented the AIRSpeed program in nine months, rather than the 18 months the Naval Air Systems Command calls for. Because they were able to expedite the process NAVAIR recognized them by naming MALS-24 the most progressive MALS to implement the system.
During the boots-on-the-ground tour of MALS-24, the workers addressed problems they have faced, discussed improvements, and answered questions the officers asked.
“The purpose for the boots-on-the-ground tour was to allow flag officers to see our progress and address any problems that we have,” said Sumter. “We’ve made achievements in training and innovations in the way we designed how this will work.
“They were pleased with our progress and our performance. That was a big plus for us,” he continued. “They expect big things from us.”
Sumter said none of the success AIRSpeed has encountered would have been possible without the support from MAG-24; Command Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 2; 1st Marine Air Wing; U. S. Marine Forces, Pacific; MALS-24 Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Robert A. Krekel, and the work of his AIRSpeed staff.
“The AIRSpeed team was the key piece in this whole project,” said Sumter. “They’re my sun, moon, stars. They’re my everything. They are the guys who brought true success in making sure this took off. The CO (commanding officer) had been an advocate in getting us to this point in the past and present. He was always there to support us.”