AFSO21 takes shape at 92nd MDG

by Airman 1st Class Sam Fogleman
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

3/26/2014 - FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The 92nd Medical Group began work on a new Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, or AFSO21, project March 24.

AFSO21 is reviving amidst a renewed emphasis on fiscal restraint in a sequester environment. The initiative takes aim at wasteful processes harming efficiency in order to generate the greatest possible value from each Air Force asset.

The 92nd MDG began work on eliminating ways in which Fairchild causes inefficiencies throughout the Air Force by focusing on medical profiles which hinder deployments and the chain reaction that ultimately fosters perpetual instability via short-notice deployments for those who are healthy.

Col. Brian Newberry, the 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, spoke at the first day of the MDG's working group, held at the base Health and Wellness Center.

"I need your help," Newberry said to the attendees, mainly 92nd MDG supervisors. "Once personnel are declared unable to go on deployment late in the deployment cycle, it's not my decision anymore. We as a team have let the combatant commanders down when we shortfall late in the process. Our job is to support the warfighter without fail."

Newberry is optimistic the motivated AFSO21 group can discern better ways of doing things.

"I know everyone in this group is motivated," Newberry said of the MDG attendees. "They're smart, they're motivated, they're innovative...they are just plain good. This is what AFSO21 does; it brings us all together. Alone we can go fast...together we can go far. I know this superior team will find answers to questions we haven't even asked yet, but should have."

Fairchild's AFSO21 staff members lead the working groups, helping to get the conversations started.

"AFSO21 generates a more timely process so hiccups are reduced," said Staff Sgt. Evan Sandstrom, 92nd ARW AFSO21 facilitator.

Just as spring brings new life to the Fairchild landscape, so, too, does AFSO21 bring new life to the Air Force.

"This is March Madness season, and what's cool about March Madness is that you never know how it's going to turn out," Newberry said. "Those teams that give it their all, they keep dancing and winning. I'm asking you to give it your all."