GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- 1,800 flight hours or every 30 months. The periodic inspection process, a critical aspect of aircraft maintenance, ensures that the KC-135 Stratotanker remains in peak operational condition. For Team Grissom, newly selected as the Regionalized Periodic Inspection Center, maintaining peak operational condition of the KC-135 now includes most of the Air Force Reserve Command. The ability to reduce ground time for AFRC aircraft has become priority number one.
The increased workload associated with this designation created an opportunity to strengthen the capability within the organization and collaborate on process improvement solutions. Enter the unique team chosen as the Air Force’s office of logistics innovation: Tesseract.
Tesseract alongside Grissom’s RPE team are actively working to enhance and streamline the KC-135 periodic inspection process. By combining their expertise and resources, the teams are implementing innovative strategies to improve efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and elevate the overall quality of inspections.
“What we are trying to do here is create a more streamlined RPE while building stability for the workforce,” said Master Sgt. Shanan Vigil, Tesseract process advancement team senior program manager, “All without sacrificing quality of life, safety, or quality of the work being performed.”
Grissom ARB's efforts as the RPE, supported by the Tesseract team, focus on refining inspection protocols, embracing technological advancements, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
The partnership between Grissom ARB and the Tesseract team exemplifies the Air Force's commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation. The combined specialized expertise and support are instrumental in achieving the shared goals of enhancing inspection processes and advancing the capabilities of the KC-135 fleet.
“This is something I’ve had in the back of my mind to try for a long time now. To have the Tesseract team come in and share these concepts with us and for them to understand what it is that we can use to get better, it’s very exciting,” said Brian Baumfalk, 434th Maintenance Squadron regional periodic inspection supervisor, “I believe that the concepts Tesseract shared, the things we’re implementing, they’re going to get us to where we need to be to reach our goals.”
Tesseract’s focus on both Air Force and industry best practices, combined with the ability to capitalize on the 434th Maintenance Squadron’s knowledge proficiency to increase productivity during the RPE is a collaborative triumph. The combined efforts of Grissom ARB and the Tesseract team showcase the power of teamwork and innovation in elevating not only the base's standing but also the overall readiness and effectiveness of the U.S. Air Force.
For more information about Grissom ARB, please visit https://www.grissom.afrc.af.mil/. For more information on the Tesseract team, please visit https://www.tesseract.af.mil/.