6S Success

Capt. Valentino Diaz, 91st Air Refueling Squadron chief of standardization and evaluation, poses for a photo in front of the improved electronic-based system at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 12, 2015. The electronic-based system has improved operational efficiency by allowing Airmen to access mission planning papers and inflight publications through an iPad app in order to be ready to fly in shorter time than the paper-based system. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Conde/Released)

6S Success

Tech Sgt. Christopher Jabs, 6th Maintenance Squadron periodic inspection coordinator, explains to Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Lusson, 6th Air Mobility Wing command chief, and Col. Andre Briere, 6th AMW vice commander, the briefing system they have established at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 12, 2015. The process was an example of the fifth “S” of the 6S initiative, standardize. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Danielle Conde/Released)

6S Success

Published Jan. 16, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Danielle Conde
6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - -- Squadron commanders started 2015 by exhibiting improvements their Airmen have made to their work environment to apply the Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century "6S" initiative at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

"AFSO21 is about continuously improving to meet the 6th Air Mobility Wing vision of 'Deliberate Excellence,'" said Tech Sgt. Aisha S. Davis, 6th AMW AFSO21 program manager.

To break it down, the "6S" stands for sort, straighten, shine, standardize, sustain and safety. The initiative was put into place with a goal of reducing the waste of resources and space while increasing operational efficiency.

On Jan. 6, 8 and 12, Col. Andre Briere, 6th AMW vice commander, along with Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Lusson, 6th AMW command chief, and members from safety and AFSO21 toured different squadrons at MacDill with the question, "what is your greatest success?"

In other words, they were not only looking for improvements to the organization of closets, cabinets, and unused rooms since December 2014, but also examples of how the Airmen were increasing operational efficiency.

Some of the highlights from the tour were the 6th Maintenance Group saving 60 man hours and $600 per quarter by replacing tape markings with paint in Hangar 2, and the 6th Medical Group reorganizing a large office space in their building while making improvements to their system to decrease patient wait-time.

"All of our 6th AMW groups made impressive strides during December to '6S' their workplaces and facilities," said Briere. "It was clear to Chief Lusson and I that our groups took this '6S' push seriously, and we were very pleased with their efforts."

After seeing all the progress that has been made, Davis encourages Airmen of all ranks to continue to sustain their efforts toward the "6S" initiative.

"We reported this progress to Col. Daniel Tulley, the 6th AMW wing commander," said Briere. "He thanks all 6th AMW personnel for their efforts to make MacDill a better place to live and work."