U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, left, listens to U.S. Air Force Col. Karen Slocum, 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) commander, at Space Delta 1’s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker gave a mission brief of USSPACECOM and how the 9 COS plays a vital role in space operations. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, left, listens to U.S. Air Force Col. Karen Slocum, 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) commander, at Space Delta 1’s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker gave a mission brief of USSPACECOM and how the 9 COS plays a vital role in space operations. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jack Barnett, 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) chief, left, asks a question to U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command command senior enlisted leader, at Space Delta ‘s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker opened the floor up for a Q &A portion after his brief to 9 COS members. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jack Barnett, 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) chief, left, asks a question to U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command command senior enlisted leader, at Space Delta ‘s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker opened the floor up for a Q &A portion after his brief to 9 COS members. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, middle, sits with members of the 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) and other USSPACECOM attendees during a 9 COS mission brief at the Combined Force Space Component Command headquarters on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, middle, sits with members of the 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) and other USSPACECOM attendees during a 9 COS mission brief at the Combined Force Space Component Command headquarters on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, briefs members of the 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) at Space Delta 1’s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker gave a mission brief of USSPACECOM and how the 9 COS plays a vital role in space operations. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, briefs members of the 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) at Space Delta 1’s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker gave a mission brief of USSPACECOM and how the 9 COS plays a vital role in space operations. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, left, listens to a 148th Space Operations Squadron mission brief from U.S. Air Force Maj. Ruben Carrillo, 148 SOPS director of operations, at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, left, listens to a 148th Space Operations Squadron mission brief from U.S. Air Force Maj. Ruben Carrillo, 148 SOPS director of operations, at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, middle, and other USSPACECOM members look at a timeline of newsworthy events pertaining to the 148th Space Operations Squadron (148 SOPS) at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, middle, and other USSPACECOM members look at a timeline of newsworthy events pertaining to the 148th Space Operations Squadron (148 SOPS) at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, second from right, and gets an overview of the MILSATCOM mission the 148th Space Operations Squadron (148 SOPS) provides to the warfighter at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, second from right, and gets an overview of the MILSATCOM mission the 148th Space Operations Squadron (148 SOPS) provides to the warfighter at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, gives a USSPACECOM mission brief to 148th Space Operations Squadron members at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

May 08 2023

AF Guard, Reserve units welcome USSPACECOM CSEL Stalker, highlights units’ critical space capabilities

Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman

U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, gives a USSPACECOM mission brief to 148th Space Operations Squadron members at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

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Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall arrives at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., July 28, 2022, and is greeted by Gen. Duke Richardson, Air Force Materiel Command commander, Lt. Gen. Tom Miller, Air Force Sustainment Center commander, Maj. Gen. Jeff King, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex commander, and Col. G. Hall Sebren, 72nd Air Base Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Gina Anderson)

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SecAF receives F-35 engine update at Tinker AFB

Published Aug. 4, 2022
By Gina Anderson
72nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. (AFNS) --

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall visited Tinker Air Force Base July 28 for an update on the base’s support to the F-35 Lightning engine program.

Kendall received an update on F135 engine maintenance and modernization prior to receiving a firsthand look at the F135 engine repair line, housed within the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex — the Defense Department’s largest maintenance, repair and overhaul activity supporting a diverse aircraft, engine and software workload for the Air Force, Navy and partner nations. The OC-ALC is part of a public-private partnership with Pratt and Whitney, which establishes the framework for providing maintenance on the F135 engine.

Honorable Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force, walks with Oklahoma Air Logistics Complex Vice Commander, Col. Abigail Ruscetta — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall chats with Col. Abigail Ruscetta, Oklahoma Air Logistics Complex vice commander, on the way to a tour of the F135 repair line at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., July 28, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Gina Anderson)

His tour of the F135 engine repair line highlighted the repair process and showcased numerous process improvements implemented by the 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group to reduce production times from 244 days in 2021 to a current average of 105 days.

The OC-ALC leadership team is also focused on finding innovative ways to cut overall costs of sustainment for the F-35’s engines.

“The efforts by the men and women of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex to repair F135 engine modules faster and more efficiently is beginning to address the gap between where F-35 sustainment currently is and where it needs to be,” Kendall said. “These professionals and their innovative approaches will help us meet the demands of our nation’s security.”

The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex acted quickly to increase its capacity to accommodate an unexpected volume of F135 engines and complexity of repairs, both of which exceeded what the depot had been activated to support at that time. With the aid of Art of the Possible, a constraints-based management system, constraints were quickly identified and mitigated, resulting in dramatically improved support for the warfighter.

Col. Timothy Beck speaks to Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall receives a brief about the operation and innovations of the F135 repair line from Col. Timothy Beck, 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group commander, at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., July 28, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Gina Anderson)

“Through the use of Art of the Possible, we identified workload bottlenecks that slowed F135 production and set out to find innovative solutions to eliminate them,” said Col. Timothy Beck, 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group commander. “Changes were made to almost every facet of the processes in order increase production capacity and reduce flow time. We made significant improvements to the inspection process, technician training, engineering response times, technical data, tooling and even the design of the shop floor — and we’re not done improving the process.”

The process improvement efforts enabled OC-ALC to grow its F135 workforce from 79 just over a year ago to 103 today, and with more hiring rounds to come as the unit doubles its production capacity over the next few years.

Kendall also made time to recognize and coin several outstanding Airmen doing great things at Tinker AFB, before departing to continue his trip which included additional stops at Nellis AFB and Creech AFB.