48 CMS takes AFSO 21 to a new level

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Torri K. Larson
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The 48th Component Maintenance Squadron sensor shop is doing business a little bit differently nowadays, thanks to hard work, open minds and little "redecorating." 

In February, the shops that maintained the low altitude navigation and targeting infrared for night pods for RAF Lakenheath, Aviano Air Base and Spangdahlem Air Base were consolidated into one centralized maintenance area for this geographic location. 

The 48th CMS sensor shop is now the one-stop-shop for the LANTIRN pods in USAFE.
"We needed to figure out the smartest way to take on additional equipment and an additional workload," said Master Sgt. Michael Seibert, 48th CMS sensors section chief. 

Master Sgt. Heather Ruegg, 48th CMS squadron AFSO 21 representative, and her team, introduced the idea of changing the shop from three shifts to only two. 

Although Sergeant Seibert admittedly said he had reservations about the change, he said he knew everyone in the shop would have to buy into the idea for it to be successful. 

"We now have a more effective use of manpower," Sergeant Ruegg said. "The test stations are more efficient and, from start to finish, we spend the least amount of time and man-hours." 

Tech. Sgt. Corey Dutton, 48th CMS sensors section superintendent, was also a key player in the AFSO-21 initiative. 

"It was really intimidating at first," he said, "but once you saw it all on paper, it really seemed like we could make it work." 

And the risks paid off. According to Sergeant Dutton, their new way of doing things is so efficient that we should have as many as 10 functional, extra LANTIRN pods at one time. 

"We've never worked without 24-hour coverage," Sergeant Seibert said. "[but] with two shifts we have better morale, a better work environment and it's been much better for families." 

Senior Airman Richelle McKee, 48th CMS avionic sensors journeyman, said it's nice to have more people on a shift, it seems like more work gets done. 

Even though he lost his office to a new box room, Sergeant Seibert wouldn't have it any other way. 

"You can't be afraid of change," he said. "It'll benefit you if it's done right."