The Air Force is committed to the Integrated Life Cycle Management [LCM] of its
weapon systems. To that end, we must address product support equities during every phase of
the life cycle for all our programs. In order to ensure product support equities are in the forefront
of our acquisition process, we have established a new Deputy Assistant Secretary [DAS] for
Logistics and Product Support, SAF/AQD, working directly for SAF/AQ. This office is headed
by an SES, two-Star equivalent, life cycle logistician with extensive experience in the
sustainment community.
The establishment of SAF/AQD properly aligns Logistics and Product Support oversight
across the Air Force ILCM enterprise. As you are aware, 10 USC 2337 mandates that all
weapon system programs be supported by a Product Support Manager [PSM] reporting directly
to the PM. The PSM’s primary responsibility is to plan and develop the weapon system product
support strategy. The Air Force has implemented PSMs in all of its Acquisition Category I and
II program offices, and they are accomplishing excellent work. Our PSMs are integral members
of the program office team and are directly advising the PM on logistics and product support
issues.
Prior to the establishment of SAF/AQD, SAF/AQ lacked a senior logistics and product
support advocate. SAF/AQD fills that gap and ensures SAF/AQ staff has a Senior Executive
Service level logistician advocating for logistics and product support equities, as well as subject
matter experts providing policy and oversight to our PSMs in the field. Additionally, SAF/AQD
has the responsibility for ensuring the Air Force complies with all statutory depot maintenance
requirements. This will ensure that SAF/AQ will fully consider ILCM for each of our weapons
systems, including decisions that affect the future viability of our organic depots.
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