US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa is offering $175,000 to a wing that finds the most innovative ways to save money and man hours and another $50,000 for second place. The money will be used to support unfunded mission requirements, according to a USAFE-AFAFRICA release. During the inaugural contest last year, nine wings submitted 477 “innovations,” saving the Air Force at least $28 million and 115,000 man hours. The 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein AB, Germany, claimed top prize, earning $250,000 for offering innovations such as adjusted schedules to avoid weekend and holiday work, repairing aircraft communications in-house, and training medical personnel on-station. This year’s contest includes a total of six awards for the wings to vie for, including an award for the most Facebook “likes,” according to USAFE-AFAFRICA. The overall winner will be announced March 31.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
