Raising the bar to reduce aviation maintenance time

AL, UNITED STATES

09.10.2019

Story by Lisa Simunaci 

U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command

As supply availability continues to improve, raising the standards for Army aviation readiness is the next target for the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command.

AMCOM leaders updated the Commander of Army Materiel Command, Gen. Gus Perna, on the organization’s successes, challenges and way forward in a quarterly briefing, Sept. 10.

AMCOM Commander, Maj. Gen. Todd Royar, noted marked improvements in supply availability have prompted the organization to focus on reducing maintenance time for aircraft and missile systems.

“AMCOM can help units reduce maintenance time in multiple ways, whether through eliminating unnecessary maintenance requirements to help train Soldiers in the field. We owe that to commanders,” Royar said. “All that helps drive down maintenance time and improve readiness.”

Past aviation readiness rates set the bar too low, Perna told more than 80 AMCOM leaders in attendance.

“We need to go higher. We can get there,” Perna said. “Do not be constrained by naysayers or those who make excuses rather than being supportive.”

Perna agreed AMCOM was on the right path and emphasized it would take Army aviation leaders to push forward.

“First it takes standards, discipline and accountability in maintenance,” Perna said. “The approach is right. The next step is artificial intelligence, data analytics and what we do with it.”

Royar presented AMCOM’s soon-to-be released campaign plan that focuses on three lines of effort – sustainable and materiel readiness, future force and human capital.

Along with several subject matter experts, leaders from the AMCOM Logistics Center; the Aviation Center Logistics Command at Fort Rucker; Corpus Christi Army Depot in Texas; and Letterkenny Army Depot in Pennsylvania also provided updates.

AMCOM Logistics Center director Don Nitti explained how the organization was expanding the supply sight picture, taking it beyond 24 months to four years or more.

“We are seeing the fruition of this effort,” Nitti said.

Corpus Christi Army Depot Commander Col. Gail Atkins discussed efforts to improve data accuracy in order to better visualize demand requirements. She also highlighted the success of a recent job fair resulting in the use of a direct hire authority to fill 60 positions at the depot.

“We made a deliberate decision to establish a Human Capital Management Directorate,” Atkins said. “We’re understanding our community better and leveraging emerging partnerships.”

Perna applauded the AMCOM team and expressed confidence in the organization and its foundation.

“It is our moral obligation to solve problems, put the standards in place and hold people accountable,” Perna said. “Great organizations are those that are adaptive, agile and innovative. Because of your great work and your great progress, we are now at the apex. If something happens, I feel confident you can adapt and adjust. I applaud the effort.”

• Date Taken: 09.10.2019
• Date Posted: 09.13.2019 09:32
• Story ID: 340498
• Location: AL, US