REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- A quality management agreement with Corpus Christi Army Depot, Texas helped U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center improve the depot purchasing process for non-conforming aviation components.
AMRDEC Solutions Integrated Product Team provided quality management in a series of visits and engagements to determine where the depot could improve.
In the past, program reviews and audits identified problems and left CCAD with the burden of problem resolution. The CCAD IPT was formed with AMRDEC Engineering Directorate members including Shane O'Linger, Angel Drake, Paul Anderson and Lorilee Crips and CCAD team members. IPT members assessed the process, provided recommendations, implemented the recommendations in the revised process and supported CCAD through process flow chart modification.
According to Shane O'Linger, aviation team lead, Quality Engineering Division, Engineering Directorate, their work on the purchasing process was in response to a quality escape of non-conforming parts that were procured and installed on UH-60 Recapitalization aircraft. Once the non-conforming parts were identified on the aircraft, the Solutions IPT assessed the local purchase process on how the parts were procured and then provided recommendations for improvement, which were incorporated into the local purchasing process. A process pilot was also conducted, which resulted in modifying the CCAD's local purchasing regulation and identifying new process steps to prevent future Quality escapes.
"I never knew how CCAD would respond to AMRDEC involvement because we were outside their organization. I think CCAD realized we're all on the IPT and our IPT was there to help and support them being successful," said O'Linger.
O'Linger, along with five CCAD team members, were awarded the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service by Col. Allan H. Lanceta, CCAD commander, for their performance, dedicated service and commitment to excellence during the project.
Members of the IPT traveled to CCAD on three trips to: assess the process and provide recommendations; monitor progress on the actions required to implement the recommendations in the new process; and modify the process flow chart to incorporate process improvements. Aside from travel to CCAD, the IPT held weekly teleconferences to update its status.
"Some time ago, AMRDEC began working with CCAD to address quality concerns. There was moderate progress made over the years. As the new commander [Lanceta] was preparing to take command, we reached out to him and established a solid relationship. As Lanceta took command, we worked with him to establish a process for an AMRDEC-led team to come to the depot and work with them on processes and procedures. They still have a long way to go, but there appears to be momentum in the right direction," said Stan Sherrod, deputy director, Engineering Directorate.
"Due to [IPT]'s efforts, today we have a new digital solution which provides visibility, traceability and efficiency in our operations and supports the requirements of the AS9110 standard for aviation maintenance," said Fred Koch, chief, Quality Assurance Division, CCAD.
While the partnership began before the implementation of "Unified Action," which aligned the Army Aviation and Missile Command and AMRDEC, the successes of the interaction highlights the need for collaboration and interaction across the aviation and missile enterprise.
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The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to provide innovative research, development and engineering to produce capabilities that provide decisive overmatch to the Army against the complexities of the current and future operating environments in support of the Joint warfighter and the nation. RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
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