AFMC commander visits base

  • Published
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The commander of Air Force Materiel Command returned to Eglin AFB Jan. 30 to discuss a variety of command programs in greater detail. 

Gen. Bruce Carlson emphasized that the trip promoted more in-depth talks between himself and Eglin's senior leaders on pre-determined topics of special interest to the general.

"I wanted to take the time to ask some probing questions on issues that impact this command and engage in open and frank discussions," General Carlson said.

Among the topics were:

Implementation and execution of Centralized Asset Management, or CAM. AFMC became the Air Force Executive Agent for programming, budgeting and execution for many of the Air Force's sustainment needs Oct. 1, 2007. The responsibility entails managing the pot of money used to cover sustainment costs -- such as fuel, replacement parts and scheduled maintenance - for the rest of the Air Force. General Carlson was interested in hearing about what AFMC has gotten right so far as well as areas for improvement.

Implementation of the Voluntary Protection Program at Eglin AFB. VPP is a concept that promotes effective worksite-based safety and health through a cultural change within the work force. It is based on cooperative relationships between management, labor and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. General Carlson wanted to see examples of offices that are leading the way on Eglin AFB, and hear about areas where the base could use help from AFMC headquarters.

How Eglin AFB tracks Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century, or AFSO21, efforts. AFSO21 is an Air Force initiative that focuses on the identification and elimination of activities, actions and policies that do not contribute to the efficient and effective operation of the Air Force. Discussions also touched on how the base documents and reports savings, methods used to train the work force, and how Eglin AFB transfers lessons learned to other AFMC bases.

Types of partnership agreements in place. Gen Carlson was interested in how Eglin officials manage, approve and review partnership agreements as well as how they communicate lessons learned to other AFMC bases.

From an organizational standpoint, how wing, group and squadron alignment is working at Eglin AFB. General Carlson was interested in hearing creative ideas for streamlining the review process while ensuring the right people remain informed.

General Carlson's visit to Eglin AFB is part of a series of trips to each of AFMC's three product centers. The general was at Hanscom AFB, Mass., Jan. 28-29, home to the command's Electronic Systems Center. The general will meet with the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, at a date to be determined.