We reported last month (DR, 09/12/05) that Warner Robins ALC in Georgia had garnered the “nobel prize of manufacturing,” the Shingo Prize. WRALC took home the gold Shingo—a first for any government facility, says Air Force Materiel Command—but AFMC’s two other ALCs took Shingo silver prizes, as well. Ogden ALC in Utah received two silvers, one for its F-16 Common Configuration Implementation Program and the second for its Commodities Branch Pylon Shop. Oklahoma City ALC in Oklahoma received a silver for refurbishing its maintenance program of the KC-135 tanker fleet. “The great people of AFMC have been working long and hard to apply lean principles to ensure our warfighters have everything they need, on time and on cost,” said Gen. Bruce Carlson, AFMC commander.
This year’s Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting buzzed with talk of countering the rapidly evolving drone threat facing the entire U.S. military, including the Air Force. Leaders and defense industry officials discussed the need for new approaches to procurement and employment of a new class of these…
