Sergeant receives $10,000 for a great IDEA

  • Published
  • By Jennifer Greene
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo.- --  The mission of the 509th is a unique one; skilled and proud Airmen providing full spectrum, expeditionary, B-2 global strike and combat support capabilities.

 Staff Sgt. Brad Dugan, 509th Bomb Wing aircraft maintenance squadron quality assurance propulsion inspector, is an example of a skilled Airman that has made some extra money along the way. 

"My $10,000 idea was a few simple changes in wording and intent on the emergency in-flight engine monitoring checklist for the B-2", said Sergeant Dugan. 

As a QA inspector for AMXS Sergeant Dugan has worked with the B-2 and its mission for eight years. His idea came to him while performing an engine drop on a Friday afternoon in May 2008. Over a three year period his shop had to drop three engines from the aircraft that were sent to depot for a complete teardown due to wording in the checklist. 

"Everyone who deals with the B-2 benefits from this idea; if the engine is properly motored upon shutdown maintenance can fix the jet on landing with a few hours and have the jet ready for sorties later that day," said Sergeant Dugan. 

Sergeant Dugan's idea saves the Air Force more than $650,000 for each engine dropped. The process for this change was different than the standard Air Force Technical Order form 22 the IDEA program uses. Anything dealing with pilots checklists is routed through a different channel. 

The Air Force Innovative Development through Employee Awareness or IDEA program allows Air Force personnel to implement changes or instructions if beneficial to the Air Force mission. The IDEA program is open to all Air Force active duty, Reserve; civilians paid by appropriated funds, Academy cadets, Air National Guard, title 5 & 10 U.S.C. employees. Staff Sgt. Natasha Vaughn, Manpower consultant, is able to help with any problems or questions one might encounter along the process.

"After submitting his last four ideas it will bring Sergeant Dugan's total award to $11,800 for this fiscal year," said Sergeant Vaughn. 

"I will continue to use the IDEA program to make the T.O.'s easier to read and make maintainers more efficient, it also helps to be compensated for my efforts," said Sergeant Dugan.