WASHINGTON –
Airmen with the 437th and 315th Airlift Wings, get ready, in today's fast paced, resourced-constrained environment, Air Force officials have said they are attempting to return a precious commodity to Airmen: time.
A team, chartered by Lt. Gen. Richard Newton III, the deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, will visit Charleston AFB units and 10 other Air Force installations as a follow up to last year's review, which revealed numerous strains on Airmen's time.
The Airmen's Time tour will meet first with the 437 AW Aug. 7 and with the 315 AW Aug. 8.
"I want the team to go back out, look at what changes have been made, assess the impact and come up with another set of recommendations," General Newton said. "The team has also been directed to be laser focused on total force solutions for the active and Reserve components as well."
While visiting with Team Charleston leaders, the team will focus on additional duties, ancillary training, commander's programs, administrative support processes and personnel services delivery. Last year, the team found a number of areas in which to give Airmen time back and improve efficiencies in these areas. For example, a team recommended approval for 1,200 civilian administrative positions to be added back into larger squadrons.
These additions will free up time for commanders and first sergeants for leadership opportunities and reduce the number of Airmen performing administrative duties outside their core Air Force Specialty Code. The team also made a number of recommendations that led to improvements in information technology support and ancillary training policies.
Mark Doboga, the director of plans and integration for manpower and personnel, will lead the team consisting of members from the Air Staff, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, Air Force Personnel Center and the Air Force Manpower Agency.
Charleston AFB group and squadron commanders, directors of operations, superintendents and first shirts will have the opportunity to voice their suggestions during the Airmen's Time town hall brief starting at 9 a.m. in the base theater Aug. 7.
Following the town hall brief, the Airmen's Time team will visit with Charleston AFB's various groups and squadrons throughout the day.
As was done last year, General Newton will share the results of this initiative with command staffs, functional communities and the Air Force's senior leaders to effect changes to policies and programs that will institute meaningful solutions for the field.
For more information about the Airmen's Time tour at Charleston AFB, contact Maj. William Skinner, 437th Force Support Squadron, at 963-3813
[Trisha Gallaway, 437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs contributed to this article]