Readiness system saves time, money

by Lanorris Askew
Warner Robins Air Logistics Center Public Affairs

ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFPN), April 13, 2004 - Robins is the test site for a new Web-based readiness system estimated to save the Air Force $79 million over the next five years.

The system, called the deployment readiness service, will improve tracking and reduce the time and effort to keep people ready for deployments.

It gives people access to their current deployment-readiness status, including prerequisites like self-aid and buddy care, chemical-warfare training and weapons qualifications. In addition, it provides users with timely and accurate information integrated across functional areas, e-mail notifications for expiring training and daily summaries for unit deployment managers.

The system reduces the time and labor needed to prepare for deployments, said Penny Wagner, an analyst in the 78th Air Base Wing plans and programs office. It also eliminates maintaining multiple computer systems while improving data accuracy, and it is faster and easier to use than previous systems.

“Previously, deployment managers used a variety of methods to track personnel readiness,” she said. “These methods ranged from (electronic) spreadsheets to the stubby-pencil system. This new system is a far more superior method of tracking readiness and will help them tremendously.”

The online system automatically updates records each time training is completed so tracking individual readiness is much simpler, she said.

“When the people who are deploying hit the ... processing line, their readiness is examined very closely,” Mrs. Wagner said. “The (system) can minimize the problems that are encountered there.”

The system resulted from an analysis which compared deployment costs to benefits, said Col. William Saunders, Air Force Materiel Command’s e-business chief. The analysis found the deployment process had three major shortfalls -- it is labor intensive, lacks consistency and lacks proactive features such as notifying people when their qualification expires.

“The old multistep process required deployment managers to organize an Airman’s equipment and hospital records, schedule training, and maintain personnel and other documents before the individual was considered deployable -- a cumbersome process at best,” Colonel Saunders said. “Many reported they used paper, spreadsheets and locally developed databases that differ from unit to unit.”

Mrs. Wagner and program analyst Glen Haisten have been involved with the new system since its beginning here when it was known as the deployment qualification system.

“(The new system) not only allows unit deployment managers but individual Airmen to take charge of ... readiness. Further, commanders can view their unit’s readiness as a whole or in parts,” Mr. Haisten said.

More capabilities are coming as the system continues to expand, said Sheree Evans, deputy readiness flight chief.

One of these capabilities is updating multiple records at once, she said.

“This will be a significant improvement for (deployment managers) who had to update one record at a time,” Ms. Evans said.

One innovation involves medical flags that tell whether a person has the required immunizations, dental, laboratory, equipment and health-record reviews.

Currently, 50 percent of deployable people here have been registered in the system, and Ms. Evans said she expects complete registration by fall.

Other bases will get the system in mid-June, she said.