Attendees: Mr. Greg Kilchenstein – OSD(MPP) – Greg.Kilchenstein@osd.mil
Mr. Kurt Doehnert – NAVSEA – kurt.doehnert@navy.mil
Mr. Greg Russell – Gregory.russell.ctr@usmc.mil
Mr. Tom Spitler – HQ AFSC – thomas.spitler@wpafb.af.mil
Mr. Bruce Wilhelm – NAVAIR – bruce.wilhelm@navy.mil
Mr. Robert Dittmann – USAMC –robert.dittmann@us.army.mil
Mr. Robert Kestler – NAVAIRDEPOT – Robert.kestler@navy.mil
Mr. Chris Root – NAVAIR ISSC – Chris.root@navy.mil
Mr. Ray Langlais – LMI – rlanglais@lmi.org
On 14 November the Joint Technology Exchange Group (JTEG) Principals and designated representatives conducted an operational review of the JTEG. The meeting was conducted in conjunction with the DoD Maintenance Symposium in Grand Rapids, Michigan, as well as remotely through Defense Connect Online (DCO) and teleconference.
Following is a summary of this meeting:
Review of the Past Year:
Reviewed the decisions and actions taken to stand up the JTEG following the deactivation of the Joint Depot Maintenance Activities Group (JDMAG).
Charter: The JTEG Charter was completed and signed by the Joint Group on Depot Maintenance (JG-DM) Principals in June 2012.
POA&M: The JTEG Principals developed a Plan of Action and Milestone (POA&M) chart. The purpose of this document is to identify the activities and associated major tasks that the Joint Technology Exchange Group (JTEG) will be responsible to perform during the given period, and identify the estimated resources required to perform each task. The JTEG Principals and OSD(MPP) compose the core resources and they have actively been performing many of the activities listed in the POA&M. However, some of the activities in the POA&M will require additional resources and support from leadership within the Services and agencies. To assist in obtaining these resources, the JTEG still needs to identify realistic dates for the activities in the POA&M, and then gain the approval/signatures from the JG-DM Principals.
Communication Plan: The JTEG Communication plan was quickly reviewed and explained that it is an internal document for the JTEG’s use. Greg Kilchenstein stated that he intends to provide updates to the MESC whenever possible. It was also recommended that the JTEG should conduct “Targeted” meetings where industry representatives are brought in to exchange technological information.
Membership: It is the JTEG’s responsibility to coordinate and collaborate maintenance technology information with the extended DoD depot maintenance community and industry partners. The JTEG Principals agreed to extend membership beyond the current members to include the depot maintenance community and industry partners once the JTEG Principals complete the internal processes and procedures required.
JTEG Website: Over the past 60+ days, the JTEG Principals and representatives from the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) have been creating a JTEG website. The website’s purpose is to provide a tool to collaborate and exchange technology information among the DoD maintenance community, as well as provide information on the JTEG and other DoD technology programs. The website address is at http://jteg.ncms.org, but during construction a login and password (provided by NCMS) are required to access the website. The JTEG plans to have the website open to the public by the end of the calendar year. Login and password will not be required, as information on the website will be unclassified for public use and non-proprietary.
Future Operations: The JTEG members discussed future actions to accomplish as well as some ideas for the JTEG to consider.
1) The JTEG principals will update the POA&M with reasonable completion dates. Request each Service / Agency Principal submit input to LMI at rlanglais@lmi.org prior to the next meeting on 13 Dec and be prepared to discuss. Once the JTEG Principals present at the meeting agree on the dates, the JTEG will pursue signatures from the JD-GM Principals.
2) The JTEG will conduct monthly virtual meetings with the JTEG membership. Beginning in December, the JTEG will migrate from primarily discussing actions required to establish the JTEG, to increased discussion on new technology ideas/needs and improving existing processes.
3) JTEG members discussed obtaining the Services/Agencies technology needs and prioritizing those needs. Greg Kilchenstein stated the intent was to obtain this information without creating a lot of work. Maximum use of existing reports and resources is emphasized. As an example, Tom Spitler stated that the USAF has recently prioritized their top 37 Sustainment Technology Process (STP) needs, 25 of which are depot maintenance. Tom will review the information and send the applicable information to the JTEG Principals to discuss how to organize the information on the website. It was also suggested that the USAF prioritization process be a future JTEG topic.
4) There is a new “Project Idea” submission process already developed on the JTEG website. The JTEG has agreed to feed this process the way it is organized now, and grow it the way they want it in the future.
5) The JTEG discussed selecting 3 focus areas in order to “manage the scope” of possible technology areas. With very little information to use to date, it was suggested that we wait until the website/database is sufficiently populated, then utilize that information to help determine any focus areas.
6) It was suggested that we add the capability to identify funding requirements in the project idea submissions. OSD/LMI will look into the submission process. Until a change is made, add funding information in the “Description Box”.
7) JTEG members were asked to assist the Services/Agencies in submitting ideas that may have joint applications.
Project Discussions: The following technology projects were discussed.
1) Intermittent Fault Detection and Isolation System (IFDIS). IFDIS is a CTMA project and a DoD Maintenance Great Ideas winner. Greg Kilchenstein described the capabilities, benefits and potential uses of the IFDIS. IFDIS is currently in use at Hill AFB and in consideration for further expansion. Current efforts are looking at joint specifications.
2) Exoskeleton. Kurt Doehnert said he would like to present a briefing, during a future JTEG meeting, on the exoskeleton technology that NAVSEA has been demonstrating in the shipyard. Kurt briefly explained that there is a big interest in human augmentation for heavy maintenance operations and NAVSEA has been successfully using the MANTIS lower body exoskeleton and the Equipois zeroG exoskeletal arm system. It was noted that the exoskeleton display at the DoD Maintenance Symposium was drawing a lot of interest. The JTEG expects the Exoskeleton to be loaded as a NAVSEA initiative, and is a strong candidate to be a “model” JTEG project.
NEXT JTEG MEETING: The next JTEG meeting will be on Thursday, 13 December, at 1400-1530 EDT. This will be a virtual meeting. Call in is 571-633-8057, access code 495238.
Tasks:
1) Request each Service / Agency Principal review the POA&M and submit reasonable “Due Dates” to LMI at rlanglais@lmi.org prior to the next meeting on 13 Dec and be prepared to discuss. Once the JTEG Principals present at the meeting agree on the dates, the JTEG will pursue signatures from the JD-GM Principals. (JTEG Principals S: 13 Dec)
2) The JTEG will conduct monthly meetings to share technology information. (All)
3) Request each JTEG Service/Agency Principal provide a list of technology needs and to prioritize those needs. Maximum use of existing reports and resources is emphasized. (JTEG Principals)
4) Add the capability to identify funding requirements in the “Submit a Project Idea” form on the JTEG website. (LMI / NCMS S: 13 Dec)
5) JTEG members assist members of their Services / Agencies with submitting ideas with possible joint applications to the JTEG Website. (All)
6) Volunteer to present a maintenance technology idea or process improvement idea at the next JTEG meeting. Our goal is to present several ideas or projects at each meeting. Reply to Ray Langlais at rlanglais@lmi.org to be added to the agenda. (All)
POC this action is Ray Langlais, LMI, rlanglais@lmi.org, (571) 633-8019