Association hosts educational event for 916th Airmen

  • Published
  • By Maj. Shannon Mann
  • 916th Public Affairs Office
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Teamwork, using LEAN techniques, giving 360 degree feedback, ensuring safety is a priority and participating in the community sounds like principles applied everyday in a military organization, but on March 1, 916th Air Refueling Wing Airmen stepped outside their organization to see these principles applied in the civilian sector.

The Airlift Tanker Association here organized a field trip to Durham to tour the GE Aircraft Engine facility located in Research Triangle Park.

The idea originated when Master Sgt. John Beal, 911th Air Refueling Squadron and ATA member, wanted to host a professional military education event that supported ATA's vision of promoting air mobility and the aerospace industry. Sergeant Beal had to deploy, but there to take his place was Tech. Sgt. Jeff Stoner, another 911th Airman with maintenance back shop experience.

While the ATA sponsored the trip, membership was not a requirement to attend. "We felt that all our Air Force members could benefit from it," said Sergeant Stoner. "From Airman to colonel and subordinate to supervisor."

Registration filled up quickly from all sections of the wing. More than 25 Airmen carpooled to Durham on a crisp, sunny Tuesday morning.

While the GE facility opens their doors to tours on a daily basis, it helped to have someone working from the inside to get the group a more in-depth look at the operations.

Senior Master Sgt. Eric Robertson, 916th Maintenance Squadron and GE employee, was instrumental in helping coordinate the tour and ensuring the Airmen got all the time they needed to see the engines and facilities and ask questions that helped them with their jobs.

"I am always talking around the shops about how things work here at GE Durham and the environment we have," Sergeant Robertson said. "I am constantly trying to recruit new talent."

Recruiting is two-fold for Sergeant Robertson though. He shares his GE experience with traditional reservists, while at the same time telling young GE employees about the opportunities that the Air Force Reserve offers.

"I think the interest level from the base has grown to a point where people just have to come and see for themselves what we do here and how we do things," said Sgt. Robertson. "It is very unique, even in the civilian world."

The tour started with an overview of the organizational structure by the plant's leader, Mr. Doug McLean, who expressed GE's commitment to the military saying "It's always great to share what we do with the military." He also went over GE's business model and talked about the seven types of commercial jet engines made at the facility.

The Airmen divided into three groups to get a personal tour of the two buildings that house most of the engine assembly. Each year, the Durham facility makes more than 1,200 aircraft engines.

One of the biggest impacts of the day was not in the number of products produced, but rather in how the plant is managed. Sixteen teams handle assembly from start to finish. New team members learn about the company's metrics and management, in addition to learning the skills needed for their job. The teams are self-managed and flexibility is a key component of the work day.

Elias Diaz, a technician at the facility, said it's great to watch the process work, but it's all about "selecting the right people and training them," he said.

Lt. Col. Charles Combs, 916th Maintenance Group commander, was really impressed with this particular learning point. "The people have input and I love that concept," he said. "The plant operates because the people have a say so. They have their arms wrapped around empowerment."

For Sergeants Robertson and Stoner, the day was also an opportunity to provide some technical insight to those attending.

"In-depth, hands-on, technical knowledge was provided by GE, which I feel benefitted the Airmen that are in their upgrade training," said Sergeant Stoner. "Maintenance Airmen get correspondence courses that teach them with pictures and words, but to actually see the heavy maintenance first hand was something that will stick with all our Airmen."

Sergeant Robertson said that while most people fly on airplanes, they never get to see one built from scratch. "Our jet maintainers in the Air Force are knowledgeable on how engines work, and how to work on them, but even most of them have never seen an engine built from the ground up," he said. "I'm glad our pilots got the opportunity to see how the engines are put together and what each part does. My wish is that they gained a broader knowledge of the engine which could possibly make their job easier in the long run."

It seems everyone took something from the day. From learning the intricate details of how engines are built to watching how process improvement concepts could empower a workforce and make a company better, there seemed to be something for everyone during the tour.

In the end, ATA accomplished highlighting their vision. "I hope that people realize that professional organizations, such as the ATA, are designed to help our Air Force members grow and realize the benefits of contacts and mentorship," said Sergeant Stoner. "I'd love to have more events like this in the future."