Kadena takes cost saving initiative

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tara A. Williamson
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  For the last few years the Air Force has made saving money a priority. Brig. Gen. Ken Wilsbach, the 18th Wing commander, has asked members of Team Kadena to think of smart money saving ideas.

The general is encouraging Airmen to submit proposals to Kadena's Innovative Development through Employee Awareness, commonly known as the IDEA program.

To submit a proposal to the IDEA program, log on to the Air Force portal or Kadena's Force Support Squadron website and click the 'IDEA Program' link. Individuals must fill out information about themselves and their squadron or unit before being able to submit an idea.

Air Force members are not the only people allowed to submit ideas, said Steven McQueen, chief of Manpower and Organization. Anyone can submit an idea. The only limitation is that the cash awards can only be paid to those on active duty as well as civilians who are paid by the Air Force.

Last year the base's focus was on energy saving, and the IDEA program was used effectively in getting the ideas of Airmen noticed.

For the 2010 fiscal year, Team Kadena had a total of 107 submissions to the IDEA program. Of these submissions 19 have been approved, bringing the total savings to $1,115,411.

Tech. Sgt. William Vanek, 733 Air Mobility Squadron quality assurance chief inspector, was one of the most recent winners. He submitted two ideas resulting from a Publication Change Request to the C-17 defueling procedures, and received a total prize of $400.

Sergeant Vanek said, "These submissions have made the C-17 defueling procedure much more efficient and should cut down on the overall time it takes to perform the refueling task."

Each submission to Kadena's IDEA program is evaluated by a point of contact in charge of the squadron or unit the submitted idea falls under, said McQueen. If the idea is unable to be evaluated on a base level, they will continue to move up the chain until someone with authority to approve or deny the idea can be determined.

"Commanders and supervisors really need to focus in and listen to their folks," said General Wilsbach. "Our Airmen are innovative. It's the Airmen that work in the work centers that have the best ideas, because they're most familiar with the challenges. When they come up with innovations, and they provide those to their supervisors or their commanders, we can implement those innovations and we can do things more efficiently, and the result will be dollar savings."

For more information about the IDEA program call 632-7706 or send an e-mail to 18fss.fsmmrpasubmissions@kadena.af.mil.