Procurement to production: Aviation, Land and Maritime team up for success at Warner Robins

The Defense Logistics Agency Aviation at Warner Robins hosted a team from DLA Land and Maritime on a two-day operational tour Nov. 19-20 at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex in Warner Robins, Georgia, to strengthen the partnership between the two organizations and highlight the impact of both teams' combined efforts on aircraft maintenance and supply chain management.

The primary objective of this visit was to connect the two teams and provide a deeper understanding of each other's priorities, constraints and successes. Fostering a strengthened partnership allows both teams to better align their efforts to support the warfighter.

"It is critically important for all facets of the enterprise to deliver parts supportability so that Aviation's maintenance customer can deliver aircraft readiness," said Steven Soisson, deputy commander of DLA Aviation at Warner Robins. "Aviation cannot do that alone. We are dependent not only on our own major subordinate command but all the MSCs to deliver. Our success is their success, and their success is our success."

As a key partner in the maintenance logistics process, Land and Maritime plays a vital role in ensuring the availability of critical spare parts and components for the warfighter. The visit offered a comprehensive overview of operations while showcasing some of the facilities that directly support the maintenance mission, providing the group an opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of their work on aircraft readiness.

Stops along the tour route included electronic and aircraft maintenance group spaces that house some of the DLA-supported aircraft, like the C-130 Hercules, F-15 Eagle, C-17 Globemaster and C-5 Galaxy. During a visit to DLA Distribution's facility at the site, the team learned about that MSC's role in storing, distributing, and tracking vital spare parts and components. The team got an up-close look at the complexity and extent of the maintenance operations Aviation supports.

Another prominent stop was the F-15 Heads Up Display production line, highlighting the successful collaboration between the two teams on a $10 million life-of type buy for the HUD glass. Team members observed the manufacturing of glass components and were able to discuss with each other the challenges associated with supporting legacy aircraft systems.

Soisson said the visit and exchanges of ideas and best practices promote a sense of community and shared purpose, which can lead to process improvements and increased efficiency.

"The relationships and collaboration that we created these past two days at both the management and working level are invaluable," Soisson said. "Now it's more than a name on an email, and we have a better understanding of where each of us is coming from. I expect this was the first of many future engagements and visits, and we have already begun planning a visit to Land and Maritime in the new year."