• Coast Guard - Aviation
• Coast Guard - Logistics
• Coast Guard - Transitions
• Farm Service Agency

Coast Guard Transitions Sectors and Boat Stations to Aviation-Style Logistics Model

Pathfinder Workforce Performance Transition Support Customer Solution Case Study

Domain

Logistics modernization

Agency Client

United States Coast Guard

Customer Profile

The Coast Guard's Logistics Transformation Program Integration Office (LTPIO) is responsible for managing the comprehensive transformation of the Coast Guard to a modern logistics model compliant with the CFO Act.

Business Situation

LTPIO is tasked with transitioning the main operational commands of the Coast Guard. These commands comprise 35 sectors and hundreds of small-boat units. The transition process includes training the unit commands and personnel and updating the logistics systems infrastructure.

Solution

VectorCSP supported transition pilot projects in Baltimore and San Francisco, providing project management assistance, design and delivery of training, and help assessing and updating the sector maintenance and supply infrastructure.

• Trained sector and boat station personnel on new logistics model and systems.
• Used transition dashboard to monitor sector and boat station progress in transition.
• Supported maintenance and supply infrastructure with experienced personnel.

As part of its efforts to improve operational capabilities, the Coast Guard has embarked on a sweeping logistics modernization program. The goal is to adopt the best practices in aviation logistics across the entire organization.
Applying a new logistics infrastructure and procedures to hundreds of operational units and thousands of field personnel is a formidable task. Coast Guard transition managers worked with VectorCSP to create and implement a transition plan that included:

• Providing a closed-loop supply chain.
• Defining and fulfilling the field unit’s supply allowance.
• Developing job aids.
• Training field personnel at sector commands and boat units on the new supply and maintenance systems.

VectorCSP then supported and monitored the transition pilot project at the Baltimore and San Francisco sectors and associated small boat stations. This included providing instructors and subject-matter experts to assist in the training and infrastructure changes.

Situation
Upon becoming Commandant, Admiral Thad Allen made logistics transformation in the Coast Guard a top priority. He immediately issued an order to institute “disciplined and standard Coast Guard-wide engineering and logistics business processes, modeled after our internal best practices currently in use in aviation.”

Armed with the mandate to institute the aviation logistics business model across the entire organization, the Logistics Transformation Program Integration Office (LTPIO) began the difficult process of changing the long-standing culture in:

• Hundreds of surface-forces operational units (comprised of sector command centers with attached small boat units).
• Supporting supply depots and maintenance facilities.

LTPIO’s goal became to “make the Sector logistics operations look like Coast Guard Air Stations logistics operations.” This included enrolling the boats into the Aviation Logistics Management Information System (ALMIS), instituting an aviation-style closed loop supply system, implementing new maintenance practices, and training Sector and station personnel on the use of the new systems.

Solution
LTPIO worked with VectorCSP to develop a strategic transition plan that included initial sector transition pilot programs in Baltimore and San Francisco. In support of this effort, VectorCSP:

• Provided lead personnel to develop and implement pre-transition site logistics surveys.
• Used the web-based Pathfinder transition dashboard for easy tracking of progress toward sector modernization.
• Developed and delivered transition training to sector command and boat station personnel. This included training for elements of the ALMIS suite of logistics management software.
• Supported pre-pilot “tabletop scenario” exercises to identify potential problems before field trials.
• Developed the sector and unit supply allowance lists and supported inventory management.
• Provided Asset Materiel Manager (AMM) and Field Terminal Operator (FTO) personnel to manage the supply system and provide maintenance data entry support.
• Provided on-site aviation subject matter expertise.
• Provided LTPIO with transition management support.

Benefits
The transition pilot program was enhanced significantly by VectorCSP’s aviation logistics capabilities and its Pathfinder enterprise transformation support services.

For example, LTPIO monitored transition progress using the Pathfinder transition dashboard. The dashboard proved to be an important management and communications tool for LTPIO, senior Coast Guard leadership, and transition personnel at field units.

Plans for The Future
The Baltimore pilot program identified the issues to be encountered in the full-scale transformation. LTPIO is using the results to refine the transition plan and, with the continued support of VectorCSP, is engaged in a planned second pilot at Sector San Francisco. Full transition of all field units will follow.