MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Vice Adm. Walter B. Massenburg, commander, Naval Air Systems Command, visited Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 here Tuesday.
Massenburg examined the accomplishments of MALS-12 Marines and checked up on their progress in implementing AIRSpeed principles, a program designed to improve cost-wise readiness in aviation supply.
“He was here specifically looking at AIRSpeed initiatives,” said Lt. Col. Mark R. Wise, Marine Aircraft Group 12 executive officer and Seattle native. “He wanted to see what initiatives MALS-12 had in place to make them more efficient and responsive to the end user (the squadrons).”
AIRSpeed is a program designed to help the Marines spend less time and money while still achieving optimal results, said Lance Cpl. Bryan A. Thalhammer, MALS-12 aviation supply specialist and St. Louis, native. It works by cutting out unnecessary loose ends or combining those loose ends into manageable means.
The program decreases the time it takes to maintain aircraft by supplying parts more efficiently, eliminating middle men, and ensuring proper supply inventories. If there is a step in there that is not required, it is removed to make supplying MAG-12 quicker and more responsive.
Massenburg also went to MALS-12 work centers where Marines familiar with AIRSpeed demonstrated its principles, which have been applied to improve aviation logistics operations here for approximately two years.
“I believe the briefings with the admiral went very well,” said Thalhammer. “He seemed pleased with our responses, and his input was (appreciated).”
During his work center visits, Massenburg walked around the main warehouse asking Marines questions about their jobs and how they could improve efficiency in their daily tasks.
“What impressed me the most was how he asked a lot of hard questions,” said Wise. “It forces people to think. We have a good program in place here, but how do we make it even better?”
The three-star officer was able to get a detailed look at how the Marines are working in MALS-12 and how they implemented AIRSpeed principles during the last two years.
“It went well,” said Wise. “He was impressed that MALS-12 was leaning very far forward in making their systems and processes better so that MAG-12 can have a higher level of performance.”