Cost Effective Readiness at Hill AFB

  • Published
  • 75th Air Base Wing
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  The 75th Air Base Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, also executes several cost-effective initiatives and strives to provide first-class support while improving cost efficiency.

"As a support wing, the current fiscal climate presents many challenges for us," said Col. Kathryn Kolbe, 75th ABW and installation commander. "Some of our cost-saving measures originate out of pure necessity, but we also have very bright and dedicated military and civilian Airmen who identify ways to accomplish the mission under budgetary constraints," she said.

The wing served as the Air Force Sustainment Center lead on projects that help streamline civilian hiring and reduce workers compensation costs. In addition, the 75th ABW led a program to generate cost savings ideas that are submitted by the workforce.

In order to reduce the amount of time to fill vacant civilian positions, the 75th ABW worked in concert with Hill's Air Force Personnel Center staff to conduct an AFSO21 process improvement event in July. The working group identified several hiring process improvements and implemented the changes. As a result, the wing noticed reduced hiring timelines while filling vacant positions.

Statistics show that annual worker's compensation costs for Hill, Tinker and Robins AFB are in excess of $35 million. Col. Mary Brueggemeyer, the 75th Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander, works alongside her 78th and 72nd ABW counterparts to help standardize and improve the administration of worker's compensation.

According to Colonel Brueggemeyer, the team is developing ways to mitigate major cost drivers by emphasizing the importance of returning injured workers to regular employment and by validating existing claims.

Furthermore, the wing oversaw the creation of the iNNOVATION program to generate cost saving ideas and cultivate an environment of improvement.

This program recognizes and implements outstanding individual and team innovation to highlight achievements that enhance mission capability or a unit's operational effectiveness by achieving sustained results that maximize efficiency. Any Team Hill member can submit a proposal.

"The iNNOVATION program encourages new ideas from all levels to help refine processes in light of our current fiscal constraints," said program lead Lt. Joel Bischoff. "Its impact is immediate."

Since July, the iNNOVATION program has received more than 50 submissions and saved thousands of dollars for the Air Force and Hill.

Cost Effective Readiness at Hill AFB

  • Published
  • 75th Air Base Wing
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah --  The 75th Air Base Wing at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, also executes several cost-effective initiatives and strives to provide first-class support while improving cost efficiency.

"As a support wing, the current fiscal climate presents many challenges for us," said Col. Kathryn Kolbe, 75th ABW and installation commander. "Some of our cost-saving measures originate out of pure necessity, but we also have very bright and dedicated military and civilian Airmen who identify ways to accomplish the mission under budgetary constraints," she said.

The wing served as the Air Force Sustainment Center lead on projects that help streamline civilian hiring and reduce workers compensation costs. In addition, the 75th ABW led a program to generate cost savings ideas that are submitted by the workforce.

In order to reduce the amount of time to fill vacant civilian positions, the 75th ABW worked in concert with Hill's Air Force Personnel Center staff to conduct an AFSO21 process improvement event in July. The working group identified several hiring process improvements and implemented the changes. As a result, the wing noticed reduced hiring timelines while filling vacant positions.

Statistics show that annual worker's compensation costs for Hill, Tinker and Robins AFB are in excess of $35 million. Col. Mary Brueggemeyer, the 75th Aerospace Medicine Squadron commander, works alongside her 78th and 72nd ABW counterparts to help standardize and improve the administration of worker's compensation.

According to Colonel Brueggemeyer, the team is developing ways to mitigate major cost drivers by emphasizing the importance of returning injured workers to regular employment and by validating existing claims.

Furthermore, the wing oversaw the creation of the iNNOVATION program to generate cost saving ideas and cultivate an environment of improvement.

This program recognizes and implements outstanding individual and team innovation to highlight achievements that enhance mission capability or a unit's operational effectiveness by achieving sustained results that maximize efficiency. Any Team Hill member can submit a proposal.

"The iNNOVATION program encourages new ideas from all levels to help refine processes in light of our current fiscal constraints," said program lead Lt. Joel Bischoff. "Its impact is immediate."

Since July, the iNNOVATION program has received more than 50 submissions and saved thousands of dollars for the Air Force and Hill.