ANDREWS AFB, Md. –
Members of the 79th Aerospace Medicine Squadron, the 1st Airlift Squadron and the 99th Airlift Squadron recently got together for an Air Force Smart Operations of the 21st Century event in an attempt to streamline the reporting medical issues for flying personnel.
According to Ron Ritchie, 89th Airlift Wing continuous process of improvement consultant, "It was as close to a perfect event as we have had."
The goal of the event was to make it easier for schedulers to receive notice of personnel being placed on Duties Not Including Flying status.
Flyers can be put on DNIF status for reasons ranging from injuries to prescribed medication that affects reaction or awareness.
Before the week-long AFSO21 event, DNIF status was reported to the squadrons and schedulers through a paper Form 1042. DNIF-status Airmen were required to bring the Form 1042 back to their squadron.
This way of communicating led to some avoidable mishaps in scheduling, according to Mr. Ritchie.
DNIF Airmen weren't always bringing their forms directly back to their squadrons. This resulted in DNIF troops being scheduled for missions and resulted in last minute rescheduling.
To avoid this, medical and operations personnel decided to stray away from a paper trail and take advantage of modern technology.
The 79 AMDS purchased two scanners and set up an e-mail list to electronically notify schedulers instantly when an Airman goes on DNIF status.
"Medical really bent over backwards to help the 89th," said Mr. Ritchie.
The process was implemented in February and all parties involved have unofficially met their goals of this process.