WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio, March 28, 2006 – Center and wing commanders from across Air Force Materiel Command were put on notice March 21 that their process improvement initiatives, efforts and results will be tracked by senior leaders at Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command.

That charge came from Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander of the Air Force Materiel Command, during a video teleconference.

Carlson, along with his field commanders and members of his headquarters staff, received training for senior leaders on how to lead Air Force Smart Operations 21 across the command.

AFSO21 is an Air Force initiative that applies a mix of business strategies designed to streamline everyday processes across the Air Force.

These plans will save money by optimizing processes and making them more effective and efficient.

Command leaders received briefings from industry experts on how best to guide process improvement initiatives such as Lean. One of the guiding principles emphasized was that successful Lean programs are always led from the top - a point Carlson said he takes seriously.

"AFSO21 is a tremendous opportunity for us to improve the support we provide to the rest of the Air Force," the general told his commanders. "And I want to be involved."

Carlson told his commanders he plans to visit their organizations and to be involved directly in some capacity with their Lean efforts.

"I want to be immersed and involved in what you are doing," he said. "Everything we do in Air Force Materiel Command affects the rest of the Air Force, so any improvements we make ultimately improve Air Force capabilities."

He also said he expects to see good measurements of how initiatives are progressing.