AFSO21 team attends Oklahoma City symposium

  • Published
  • By Terri Schaefer
  • Vance Air Force Smart Operations 21 Office
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  You've probably heard the term AFSO21 a lot recently, and wondered what it was. Quite simply, it is Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, a culture shift dedicated to doing the job efficiently and safely. 

Given today's fiscal instability, both in the private sector and the Department of Defense, working smarter, not harder isn't a cliché any more. 

With that in mind, eight Team Vance members attended a recent multifunctional government symposium hosted by the Federal Executive Board in Oklahoma City. 

"It is process improvement we are all dedicated to, no matter the name," said Lt. Col. Brian Hellinger, the Vance AFSO21 officer in charge. "In the Air Force we call it AFSO21, the Federal Aviation Administration uses Six Sigma and the U.S. Postal Service employs Lean principles. In the end, it's all about doing the job with reduced manpower and resources, and doing it in a safe, efficient manner." 

Participants from the different agencies at the symposium showcased improvement efforts and engaged in hands-on exercises. "At the end of the day, we extended our network and showed that the Air Force is well on its way in the formal process-improvement marathon," said Master Sgt. Rachel Overman, the Vance AFSO21 NCO in charge. 

"We took a wide cross-section of Vance folks and not only strengthened the knowledge of senior personnel but brought several junior enlisted onto the scene," said Sergeant Overman. 

The Vance AFSO21 folks are on the second floor of Bldg. 500, and are available to answer questions, offer support in streamlining current processes or simply listen to ideas. For more information, call 213-5219.