H-1 Community Ensures Readiness While Transitioning Platforms

PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- As the H-1 community continues its transition and conversion to the newer, more capable platforms of the UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper-with upgraded aircraft now present in Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, MAG-29, and MAG-39, the community continues to maintain its operational commitments to multiple Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deployments as well as Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).

MAG-29 is well into their Yankee transition with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 167 and HMLA-269 both fielding UH-1Y platforms and preparing to meet their operational commitments in accordance with the current Headquarters Marine Corps (HQMC) Aviation Plan.

The UH-1Ns of MAG-29 returned from Guatemala in support of Operation Martillo just in time to support relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy, the 24th MEU detachment returned to HMLA-269, and HMLA-167 continues to prepare for their upcoming OEF deployment.

HMLA-367 has successfully transferred to MAG-24 and firmly planted the Scarface flag in the sands of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Additionally, MAG-36 received their first Yankees to begin their support of the 31st MEU and in the Western Pacific.

MAG-39 supplied the first all upgrades detachment (Y/Z) with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 268 (Reinforced) in support of the 11th MEU. HMM-364 (Reinforced) is currently hosting the second all upgrades detachment from HMLA-367 in support of the 15th MEU. HMLA-267 became the first all-upgrades squadron in March 2012 with HMLA-169 scheduled to become the second this summer.

"The successful completion of these upgrades is the direct result of the hard work and continued diligence of all the team members from the different agencies that make up the H-1 team," said Maj. Jacob Reeves, the H-1 Lead Action Officer.

Throughout the previous year, the H-1 community faced several challenges. During the course of the fall briefing cycle to Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) leadership, the H-1 community identified six items that negatively affect readiness. This Critical Component Summary was referred to as the "Six-Pack."

As of January, the six parts identified in the Critical Component Summary had a combined effect on more than 10 percent of the aircraft in the fleet. Significant efforts are being expended by all H-1 team members to procure parts as increased availability will have the most significant impact on fleet-wide aircraft readiness.

As the H-1 community continues to anticipate the maturation of the upgrades aircraft supply chain, H-1 team members are making great strides through their respective agencies. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) U.S. Marine Corps H-1 Light/Attack Helicopters Program Office (PMA-276) has initiated a critical spares watch list. This effort will result in cost avoidance and increased readiness as parts will be more readily available.

The Naval Supply Systems Command, Weapons Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) has established an Integrated Line of Balance (ILOB) process for critical demand components. This is an effort coordinated with the fleet activities, PMA-276, Bell Helicopters, and NAVSUP WSS to participate in a monthly review intended to forecast demand, establish appropriate retail allowances, and determine the required spares delivery and repair schedule.

"We are now in the fourth iteration of the Integrated Line of Balance Process," said Maj. Bob Gordon, NAVSUP WSS H-1 Integrated Weapons Systems Team. "It has proven to be a great forum for getting all agencies together to discuss and improve material support for specific challenges."

NAVSUP WSS recently hosted a thorough review of several hundred H-1Y/Z vital repairables. The conference included representatives from Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 39 (MALS-39), Fleet Support Team (FST), PMA-276, and Bell who met with the primary focus of ensuring repairable Aviation Consolidated Allowance List requirements for Fiscal Year 13 are properly forecasted.

"Bringing key Enterprise stakeholders together to review the repairables was hugely helpful," said Gordon. "Validating demand is necessary to ensure provisioning efforts are aligned to future changes for upgrade aircraft."

The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) worked with the team to establish a more accurate parts forecast via the Demand Data Exchange for those upgrade consumables that may not exhibit the historical pattern required for wholesale sourcing. DLA, in coordination with the fleet and Bell, has also been conducting a monthly review of the top degraders that it manages. This review focuses on identifying and removing barriers to the contracting process. Lastly, DLA has established an acquisition process to assist in expediting the procurement of consumables available via retail vendor, surplus distributor, or original equipment manufacturer.

During the first week of September, representatives from Bell for both upgrade and legacy H-1 platforms sat down to meet face-to-face with all MAG-39 H-1 squadron maintenance material control officers. This unprecedented direct reconciliation of the squadrons' concerns and high-priority requisitions led to a list of more than 100 requisitions which Bell specifically took for action. Two months later, 74 percent of the requisitions had been filled with the balance expected to be filled shortly thereafter.

Key stakeholders from the fleet, supporting activities, and industry convened at Bell's Military Aircraft Assembly Center in Amarillo, Texas, in September to develop a comprehensive roadmap detailing actions required to increase repair output and increase time-on wing for a problematic system. Productive and engaging discussions among the attendees led to the identification of critical gaps and corresponding solutions to overcome those gaps, as well as improved communication among all stakeholders.

Bell leadership took the opportunity to visit MALS-39 during the Transition Task Force (TTF) Conference in October to determine what logistics/supply issues were affecting the repair processes at the MALS. During the walk-through of various repair shops, Bell leadership also took notice of the major issues and gained a more thorough understanding of existing repair processes.

The most recent TTF took place at MAG-39 in October 2012. It brought together representatives of each Marine Air Wing; HQMC; Marine Forces Command, Pacific and Reserve; Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1; PMA-276; Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 9; the Marine Search and Rescue community; DLA; and H-1-related industry representatives from companies like Bell, and French defense electronics maker Thales Group. The conference focused on issues related to the H-1 upgrades transition and the overall health of the HMLA community. The conference was split into three cross functional teams focusing on operations, manpower, and maintenance and logistics.

"Gathering all of these agencies together as part of the Transition Task Force is instrumental to our global perspective," said Reeves. "It facilitates a shared understanding of the issues which plague the community as a whole."

On Nov. 27, HQMC Department of Aviation held the H-1 ESS in Washington, DC. The ESS included Marine aircraft wing commanding generals, general/flag officers from NAVAIR, executives from Bell, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Thales, DLA and NAVSUP WSS. The objective for this ESS was to assemble the appropriate stakeholders to address current and future H-1 supportability and develop a roadmap for addressing identified challenges. Continuing the work started in October during the TTF, a number of action items were issued relating to the "Six-Pack" and overall aircraft sustainment.

"With only 42 percent of the UH-1Ys and 15 percent of the AH-1Zs currently delivered, maintaining this teamwork environment is the key for continued success," said Reeves. "The connections and relationships fostered through the NAE will ensure the momentum created will not only be maintained, but also amplified."

For more news from Naval Aviation Enterprise, visit www.navy.mil/local/NAE/.