Air force print news (Aug. 25, 2008): Wright-Patterson unit wins Defense Secretary Logistics Award.

WASHINGTON -- Defense Department officials announced Aug. 6 that the 478th Aeronautical Systems Wing was named the winner of the Secretary of Defense System Level Performance-Based Logistics Award.

The wing staff directs all acquisition and sustainment activities for the F-22 Raptor and is part of the Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

The award recognizes the unit with the best strategy to improve weapon system readiness through performance-based logistics contracting with weapons system manufacturers and the Air Force's three air logistics centers. Members of the 478th AESW demonstrated outstanding achievements in providing warfighters with exceptional operational capabilities.

The 478th AESW, together with the 77th Aeronautical Systems Wing, pursued the Air Force and DoD-directed effort. The team developed a 10-year, weapon-system level, sole-source, performance-based agreement. The arrangement incorporates significant public-private partnering with the F-22 manufacturer, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics; and the F-119 engine manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney. Innovative teaming and process management resulted in the first F-22 stand-alone sustainment contracts worth $1.5 billion, for calendar years 2008 and 2009, which led to the highest readiness rates in the program's history.

Through ingenious application of Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century, the team drastically shortened the standard 1 8-month proposal process to 10 months. The team drove an agreement for a 20 percent improvement in aircraft availability, which equates to seven additional F-22s in warfighters' hands. Additionally, the team delivered an amazing 15 percent improvement in mission capable rates, while repair rates saw impressive results with a 20 percent reduction in time. For the warfighter, the team overcame monumental obstacles to accelerate the activation of the F-22 unit at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, by a full two years.

"The award is a huge win for the 478th, the air logistics centers, contractors, and Aeronautical Systems Center It's an even more significant and enabling win for our war-fighters, providing them with better ability to fly, fight, and win," said Thomas Severyn, the 478th AESW director.