Leaders discuss reshaping of logistics Published Feb. 12, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo Air Force Print News HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFNEWS) -- Airmen and civilian logistics leaders throughout Pacific Air Forces gathered for a two-week conference to discuss the reshaping and recapitalization of the logistics community using Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st Century initiatives. Air Force Logistics covers a wide range of services including aircraft maintenance, supply, providing spare parts and transportation of parts and equipment. The conference attendees brainstormed ideas on how to take the upcoming 1,200 logistics personnel manning cuts while sustaining productivity. "One of the tools that AFSO 21 gives us is the ability to do rapid improvement events," said Brig. Gen. Francis M. "Frank" Bruno, PACAF director of logistics. "What I'm looking for the team to do is give me some recommendations on how to step forward into the future to absorb the manpower cuts, absorb the other changes hitting the Air Force and still get the mission done." Other areas the logistics conference addressed are how to support and maintain geographically separated locations. Attendees also attempted to identify similarities within different operations and airframes that may be ready for standardization or consolidation to streamline work flow. According to Lt. Col. Glen Marumoto, chief of the PACAF material management branch, processes that were once considered efficient may now need to be reevaluated because they my not be effictive by today's standards. Even though the logistics community will lose some of its members, the logistics mission will not change. "We will still need to fly planes, we are still going to need to train pilots and we are still going to fight wars," Colonel Marumoto said.