377th ABW hosts “Tiger Tank” innovation competition

Photo By Senior Airman Elijah Chevalier | U.S. Air Force Maj. Travis Schmitt, 377th Medical Support Squadron Pharmacy Flight commander, pitches an idea to a panel at the “Tiger Tank” innovation competition at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., Feb. 11, 2019. The panel consisted of judges from different organizations across the 377th Air Base Wing, and was led by the wing commander and command chief. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Eli Chevalier)  

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, NM, UNITED STATES

02.12.2019

Story by Senior Airman Elijah Chevalier 

377th Air Base Wing

Air Force Global Strike Command leadership has encouraged Strikers to promote a culture that values and applies Airmen’s best ideas to improve current and future operations. To foster inspiration and a review of new ideas, 377th Air Base Wing hosted an innovation competition here, Feb. 11, 2019.
The competition involved Airmen from across base pitching their innovative ideas to a panel of judges consisting of squadron commanders and senior enlisted leaders, an engineer from AFRL, and the 377 ABW commander and command chief.
Ideas ranged from automated ID card renewal stations to streamlining pre-existing processes. During each 20-minute presentation, panel members had the opportunity to ask questions and expand on ideas presented. At the end of the day, ideas they thought could best save the Air Force money and time were funded.
“Money is a precious resource and taxpayer dollars are not unlimited,” said Col. Richard Gibbs, 377th ABW commander. “We have to find the best ways of doing business. Innovation is key to figuring out how to best execute our mission with the funding and resources we were allocated—[often] without every single resource that you would want to have.”
Airmen and civilians brought ideas to the event, while the competition style format allowed ideas to bypass roadblocks.
“We always talk about going down to the most junior level and having our Airmen bring up these ideas,” said Maj. Travis Schmitt, 377th Medical Support Squadron Pharmacy Flight commander and a participant in the competition. “This gives you that opportunity to go straight to the boss. There’s not as much red tape to get to the top and share ideas.”
Constant innovation and evolution to adapt to a changing environment is key to the Air Force’s success. Gibbs offered a piece of advice for those who may have a creative concept to address a problem.
“Bring your ideas forward,” said Gibbs. “The answer is definitely going to be no if you never ask. Even though we have the competition set today, there is still opportunity throughout the year to take those good ideas and develop them, fund them and implement them. There is always time for good ideas.”

• Date Taken: 02.12.2019
• Date Posted: 02.12.2019 18:00
• Story ID: 310493
• Location: KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, NM, US