Logistics Familiarization Series
Series 3
Ellsworth AFB 28 MXS Tour
By Maj. Trace Steyaert
25 January 2008
On 25 January, part three of our “Logistics Familiarization Series” landed our LOA chapter members in the 28th Maintenance Squadron (MXS). Our group of learning loggies experienced the demanding world of backshop maintenance and learned half of what it takes to keep the lethal B-1 Bomber in the air. We witnessed first-hand the everyday workings of repairing critical pieces of B-1 equipment through exciting tours and briefings given by various MXS professionals. This lunch and learn session left those who attended more educated and aware about the challenging world of backshop maintenance. In the works for the month of April is a chapter visit to the local Coca-Cola distribution center to learn about their logistics processes.
Maj. General Reno visits Ellsworth LOA
By Maj. Trace Steyaert
4 January 2008
On 4 January, our Black Hills Bandits Chapter of the Logistics Officer Association was fortunate to have Major General Reno (Commander, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker Air Force Base) visiting Ellsworth AFB for Colonel Debra Shattuck’s retirement ceremony. Our LOA chapter coordinated a special breakfast gathering and presented Col Shattuck with a farewell gift and enjoyed listening to Major General Reno speak on “Depot Support to GWOT”.
7 June 2007
Lt Gen Leo Marquez, retired, visited Ellsworth AFB on 7 June 2007. Gen Marquez was on a personal trip to the Black Hills, and graciously offered to share some time with LOA and share his wealth of logistics knowledge. The briefing was open to all members of LOA, including officers and SNCOs in the MXG and MSG.
Gen Marquez, a true AF logistics icon, briefed the group on the importance of logistics and its future in the Air Force. He also hosted a "meet and greet" with previous "Lt Gen Leo Marquez" award winners, signing trophies and posing for pictures.
Having the "Godfather of Logistics" was truly a treat for the Black Hills Bandits LOA chapter.
Logistics Familiarization Series
Series 2
Ellsworth AFB 28 LRS Tour
By Capt Allen Husted
March 2007
The 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) recently hosted 28 BW logistics officers to help educate fellow loggies on what LRS provides the wing daily, during wartime contingencies, and how the wing’s mobility machine operates. The event was part two in a series Maj Chris Lane, Ellsworth AFB LOA President, developed to assist base logisticians in becoming more familiar not only with their core AFSCs, but logistics capabilities across the wing.
The tour consisted of a “lunch and learn” combined with mission briefs from each respective area e.g. Supply, Vehicle Operations, Fuels, Readiness, Management and Systems, Traffic Management, and Vehicle Maintenance. The briefs were followed by functional tours of the supply warehouse and the wing's mobility machine. The LOA Airmen were even given a “hands-on” pallet build-up class where they experienced the opportunity to build their own pallet. They also inspected it along with some rolling stock in order so they could better understand airworthiness, what to look for, and ensure they are done correctly. The logistician’s capstone to the tour was a “ride” on a 25K Next Generation Storage Loader (NGSL) where Technical Sergeant John Sabrowski, an Air Transportation Technician, illustrated the capabilities of the aircraft loader. In ending our tour, Captain Brandi Collen, Readiness Flight Commander, said “this was an excellent way to not only educate our fellow officers but network within the wing and moreover help the wing prepare for our November ORI."
Logistics Familiarization Series
Series 1
Ellsworth AFB 28 MUNS Tour
By 2Lt MaryAnne Nguyen
February 2007
LOA officers in the 28th Munitions Squadron hosted a tour of the Munitions Storage Area (MSA) for fellow LOA members at Ellsworth AFB. This was the first of a series of broadening opportunities that chapter president, Major Christopher Lane, calls the “Logistics Familiarization Series.” Maj Lane, also the 28 MUNS Munitions Operations Officer, hopes that the series will help develop a heightened awareness of the various logistics disciplines within the 28th Bomb Wing.
Ellsworth AFB is home to the B-1B aircraft which holds the highest payload of munitions in the Air Force. The LOA members, many of whom were in a MSA for the first time, were able to see what goes on “behind the fence.” They were familiarized with the squadron’s mission, both home station and in contingencies, and with the various munitions that the B-1B releases. Undoubtedly, the highlight of the tour was the hands-on bomb build of a GBU-31. The officers thought the experience was beneficial from a professional development standpoint. Lt Sarah Atherton, a logistics readiness officer, commented, “it helps to see what other logistics officers do in order to gain the ‘big picture’ point of view. I loved that we got to get our hands dirty, I don’t get to do that enough in my work.” If anything, the tour proved to develop camaraderie, networking, and understanding among LOA members in the 28th Bomb Wing.
Ellsworth AFB Chapter Visits Sanmina-SCI
By Lt Le Tran
December 2006
Effective utilization of resources has become a widely discussed topic throughout the Air Force. In order to facilitate the growing need to become a more “light, lean, and lethal” branch of service, many have explored the civilian sector for ideas. To follow this trend, the Ellsworth AFB chapter visited Sanmina-SCI, a contract electronics manufacturer that fabricates products for large mainframe computers, telecommunications systems, and high-end medical equipment. The company is home to more than 45,000 employees worldwide in 100 locations, including the local production plant visited in Rapid City, SD.
A tour of the production plant provided opportunities for LOA members to discuss and ask questions regarding logistics functions, many which revolved around the LEAN/AFSO-21 concept. The company has poured millions of dollars towards the drawing down of processes throughout its 40 years of existence. Sanmina-SCI’s supply process includes receiving, sorting, and transporting supplies to their appropriate location. They utilized modern technology to facilitate these responsibilities, however, relied on the efficiency of personnel to drive these processes. Their organization of equipment and distribution of resources allows their personnel to get the right parts necessary for the job at the right time and enables the company to produce very unique products catered towards the need of each individual customer. Major Christopher Lane, local chapter President commented, “It was a very informative tour and we are looking forward to visiting similar facilities in the future.”
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