LRS promotes excellence with new QA program

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  In an effort to continue maintaining and exceeding standards within the unit, the 23rd Logistic Readiness squadron initiated a quality assurance program in the squadron this past March.

The purpose of the LRS QA program is to provide the unit commander and senior leadership with an assessment of the unit's ability to perform key logistics processes that ensure standardized, repeatable, technically compliant process execution, while also promoting a culture of professional excellence and personal responsibility.

"QA gives the commander a snapshot of the overall health of the squadron, and lets him know where and if problems need to be addressed," said Tech. Sgt. Carlos Mason, 23rd LRS fuels quality assurance inspector.

Currently at LRS, there are seven inspectors and two augmentees, all were chosen because they are considered functional experts in their career field. Inspectors are assigned to different flights within LRS. Augmentees work in flights that do not warrant a full time inspector, but their expertise is still required. Between the nine of them, they complete approximately 160 QA evaluations per month.

"We do inspections every day; I do at least 10 inspections every week," said Mason. "I am confident that we are always ready for a major inspection, such as the Logistics Compliance Assessment Program inspection."

There are a variety of inspections and evaluations done by the inspectors such as a personal evaluation, which is direct evaluation of an individual or team conducting or performing a logistics action. There are also proficiency evaluations, training proficiency evaluations, quality verification inspection and special inspections. Examples of special inspections include those not covered by other evaluations and may include inspections of aircraft and equipment forms, document control procedures and file plans, housekeeping, and safety practices.

"We do different types of inspections--anything from personal evaluations to special inspection," said Mason. "When I do proficiency evaluation, I evaluate to make sure the Airman or civilian knows what they are doing and they are doing it correctly.

"For example when I am doing an inspection on someone in fuels who is refilling their fuel truck, I ensure that they adhere to Air Force Instruction standards and follow the checklist," he added.

All the inspections are tracked in a database and quarterly reports are sent up to Air Combat Command. The QA manager can go into the database and get a snapshot for the week and update the commander.

"I can look at anytime and tell what the percentages of passes for the squadron," said Ms. Valerie Daugherty, 23rd Logistics Readiness Squadron quality assurance manager. "The squadron has done an excellent job with maintaining standards."

The program may have just begun in March but the hard work of the inspectors and members of LRS paid off when they received 91.56 out of 100, an excellent on the grading scale, on the Logistics Compliance Assessment Program inspection that occurred in May.