Logistics transformation changes way warfighters receive support Published June 29, 2010 By Air Force Space Command Installations and Logistics Directorate PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- The ways in which Air Force logisticians provide support to warfighters is about to change and Peterson Air Force Base will lead the way in what is being hailed as a historical transformation. Today, Air Force logistics struggle under outdated World War II-era processes and aging information technology systems which contain limited integration capabilities. The Air Force wants a logistics solution that supports rapid, agile deployment, employment, sustainment and reconstitution of the total force. And, it wants to do it in a cost-effective manner across the full spectrum of operations. The Expeditionary Combat Support System is the cornerstone of the logistics transformation effort. Using an Enterprise Resource Planning software solution, ECSS is applying best commercial practices and using industry-proven tools to establish the Air Force's first capability to globally view and manage its logistics resources, including major end items, materiel, people and funds. But, ECSS is much more than an IT system. It will fundamentally change business processes, personnel roles, and jobs across the Air Force logistics community. Locally, ECSS will drive dramatic changes and improvements in the way logistics is done. For example, the process of scheduling a repair currently means setting a repair date on the base level without the ability to ensure technicians, parts, facilities, or tools are available. With ECSS, an integrated global view of people and parts availability will enable greater scheduling effectiveness and ultimately increase availability of repaired components or major end items. Simply put, Air Force logisticians will have what they need to get the job done when repairs are system-scheduled under ECSS. Citing another example, today Air Force Logisticians collectively rely on paper forms and enter data into multiple base-level systems. This labor-intensive effort will be replaced by entering data once into one system. When fully implemented, ECSS will replace hundreds of logistics information systems and will be the single source for logistics information. While it will be several years before ECSS reaches full operational capability and its benefits are fully realized, the implementation process is already underway and will affect Peterson AFB and its mission partners. ECSS will be fielded on Peterson no later than April 2012. To help with that preparation, the ECSS program is conducting its kickoff briefing with Peterson AFB senior leaders on July 14. An Air Force-wide change agent network, supported by an ECSS program team, will share information on ECSS activities, schedules, and lessons learned, and conduct local problem-solving meetings to help smooth implementation at each installation. Ron Perron, the senior change agent coordinator for Peterson AFB, and 21st Logistics Readiness Squadron deputy commander, says "we already have over 30 change agents at the 21st Space Wing, 50th Space Wing and 302nd Airlift Wing, who have been trained and are ready to communicate ECSS as we move forward." ECSS will drive changes in the way the Air Force does business and the way logisticians perform their jobs. The result will be an Air Force enterprise better enabled to provide its warfighters the right materiel at the right time. ECSS will also enable logisticians to use their time more productively, significantly reducing the cost of accomplishing the logistics mission. To learn more about ECSS visit https://www.ecss.wpafb.af.mil or contact Ron Perron at ron.perron@peterson.af.mil or Dave Roy at david.roy@peterson.af.mil.