Tyndall revamps deployment process reducing waste, stress

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacey Haga
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Deploying Airmen spend several hours going to different agencies on the base to outprocess. Those agencies expend more work effort than needed to get the Airmen outprocessed. The deploying Airman's office loses several hours of his productivity due to the many hours the Airman spends outprocessing. 

These are just some of the thoughts that went through the minds of Tyndall's leadership and Air Force Smart Operations 21 team during the last few months. 

"Historically, Tyndall has had no problem getting Airmen down range, but the pain level was pretty significant," said Bobby Richardson, AFSO 21 facilitator. 

In November 2006, it was decided by leadership that an AFSO 21 look at the deployment process here could alleviate some of the stress associated with the deployment process. 

A team of 15 wing members and six AFSO 21 observers assembled to take a look at the situation. 

"It was a dynamic group and every one was dedicated to making the change," said Staff Sgt. Clarence Mathis, AFSO 21 team lead. 

In the past, individuals would go to 26 different agencies at 20 different locations on base, a process taking approximately 35 days to complete. Most of the agencies processed individuals as walk-ins and there was no oversight or accountability during the process.
 
The goal of the team was to eliminate the excess time spent for the deployer and agencies in every part of the deployment process, said Sergeant. Mathis. 

"The quality of life for the deployer during outprocessing was our main focus," said Mr. Richardson. 

After the AFSO 21 team mapped out the process, proposed ideas and voted on them, a new plan was put to the test Feb. 5-9. 

A modified mass deployment process was used and was found to be successful and save time and effort. 

From now on, the new AFSO plan will be the rule when outprocessing for deployments, with the past method as an exception. 

Deployers will attend a processing line with all the base agencies required for outprocessing. The process will take 1-5 days and will include medical clearances and chemical and weapons training. 

"The time frames are flexible enough to allow room for error," said Mr. Richardson. 

The unit deployment manager is also involved throughout the entire process as a guide. 

"The key to a smooth deployment is active involvement of the UDM," said Mr. Richardson.
There will be 3 to 4 processing lines prior to each Air Expeditionary Force rotation. 

In adittion to the processing lines, two Web sites were created - one addresses ancillary training for the deployer and the other provides a centralized place for UDMs to receive guidance. 

This change to outprocessing produced results positive for Tyndall. 

According to AFSO 21 analysis, up to 50 percent of time spent outprocessing by the deployer has been saved and agency processing efficiency was increased 98 percent.
 
The wing's capability to deploy was improved; there is now more oversight in the process. 

With the success of this project and past endeavors, the AFSO 21 team here will continue to look for ways to improve efficiency at Tyndall. 

"Change is inevitable, but good change is contagious," said Mr. Richardson.