LASS improves interoperability

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Cody H. Ramirez
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Representatives and specialists from multiple nations gathered at Yokota Aug. 31 to Sept. 3 during the 2015 Pacific Agility C-130 Logistics and Safety Symposium.

The symposium is a Pacific Command initiative aimed at increasing relationships and interoperability between regional partners; it specifically focuses on bringing C-130 experts together to discuss and learn innovative safety, supply and maintenance standards, while also highlighting shortfalls and finding productive solution with managing the world's longest continuous production run aircraft.

Air force representatives from six countries participated in the symposium: Indonesian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Philippine Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force and US Air Force.

"We were able to highlight US capabilities, processes and facilities, giving our participants a little flavor as to how we do business," said Lt. Col. Vinh Trinh, Pacific Forces Logistics and Engineering exercise engagement shop directorate and symposium lead. "The vision is, if we show our processes to [our partners], they have a better understanding as to how we operate, so when we operate together there is a common understanding."

The multinational participants also played a role in the symposium, each presenting their own capabilities to the other participants. Each day, the participants received briefings from C-130 experts around Yokota and also toured base facility specializing in one of the symposium topics. This was the second consecutive year the symposium was held, and the first that included facility tours.

"Having it here and being able to do the tours and see what was talked about earlier each day, allows them to have a better understanding," said Senior Master Sgt. David Arnett, 374th Logistical Readiness Squadron symposium representative, regarding the split between classroom and practical learning. 

Yokota, as PACAF's primary airlift hub in the Indo-Asia Pacific region, was chosen as the location to host the symposium because it offered participants an opportunity to see assets and procedures first-hand. Senior Master Sgt. David Harvey, 374th Maintenance Group symposium representative said the LASS also allowed the partner nations to see what Yokota brings to contingencies and what the other air forces might want to add to their own capabilities.

"This is the hub and spoke of what we do here," Harvey said.  "This is PACOMs only intra-theater airlift location, so if the Air Force is going to be involved in intra-theater airlift operations, it will originate from Yokota."

All participating air forces share similar problems, according to Harvey. Simplifying the thought process, Harvey imagines each shared problem as a monetary value of $100. In the past, the Air Force had the means to fix a $100 problem with a $1,000 fix. Harvey said the 374 MXG is searching for $5 fixes to $100 problems, going along with a common theme across the Air Force--innovation and saving money.

"Do we already have that cheaper fix for those issues or does one of our partners here in the theater already have those fixes?" Harvey asked.

According to Harvey, the Air Force has historically had the largest budget and was able to spend it on quick and easy fixes. That is changing. Harvey said many of the partner nations have already gained experience in fixing problems on a budget, and the symposium allows them to share that knowledge.

"PACOM contains half the earth's surface and the largest population, and every year there are humanitarian relief operations that take place in the theater," said Senior Master Sgt. David Arnett, 374th Logistical Readiness Squadron symposium representative. "It is great for us to come together now, so when we do have to respond to a real-world conflict, we are a better and stronger team to face that challenge."

Harvey, who has personally visited all participating countries in official capacity, highlighted the importance of our pre-established relationships with partner nations in the region.

"If we have the same or very similar processes, when we respond to a contingency together, we work together much better," Harvey said. "If we all use a standard process we can expedite our actions during a mission."

This idea was proven during the air symposium. Members of the JASDF built an airlift pallet and sent it to the 730th Air Mobility Squadron's mechanized materiel handling system, a massive digitalized cargo system at Yokota. The system uploaded and processed the pallet with no issues. Standardized and streamlined processes and procedures allow partner nations to work together seamlessly.

"This is just a building block," said Trinh. "We hope to be on the receiving end of how our partners operate in subsequent years."