Leaders of the United States Air Force recently reported that the success of existing lean programs will spur the organization to expand lean’s use.

The Air Force has implemented extensive lean programs at its Materiel Command air logistics centers, and will implement the methodology at its Air Force Smarts Ops for the 21st Century (AFSO 21). Don Ritter made the announcement at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.

AFSO 21 is a program that combines parts of several efficiency programs, including lean and Six Sigma, to develop a process improvement program that’s unique to the Air Force. In a tour of the base, Ritter emphasized the importance of training Air Force troops—especially young recruits—on the benefits of process improvement.

“How do we remove barriers to these guys who are coming up with good ideas?” asked Ritter. “They’re seeing opportunities, and there are some clear things that are getting in their way. What we are trying to do is understand the view of the front line. Airmen, at the end of the day, are the reason we are doing this.”

For more information, visit www.af.mil/news/story_print.asp?storyID=123030998.

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