LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Across the Air Force, aircraft maintenance and logistics readiness squadrons rely on each other every day to keep aircraft flying. Within the 19th Airlift Wing, leaders recognized the two units often worked side by side without fully maximizing the potential synergy that could be achieved at Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, Feb. 17, 2026.
Through a joint effort, the Maintenance-Supply Immersion Program was created to allow Airmen from maintenance and materiel management to temporarily embed with each other's units. Participants spend several days learning workflows and challenges on the flight line and in the supply warehouse to improve coordination and efficiency.
“Maintenance and supply speak different languages, and there’s nothing institutionally that bridges that gap,” said Master Sgt. David Bennett, 19th Logistics Readiness Squadron materiel management superintendent. “This program gives us a chance to be physically immersed in what each other does. Once you see the other side, it changes how you work together.”
The hands-on experience gives Airmen greater visibility into how maintenance and supply efforts connect to support the mission.
“This program builds more than technical knowledge, it builds relationships,” said Lt. Col. Tyler Olson, 19th LRS commander. “Logistics isn’t just about supply and demand, it’s about people working together, and when Airmen understand each other’s challenges, they’re able to solve problems faster and more effectively.”
Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Kotlowski, 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron knights aircraft maintenance unit section chief, was selected as the first maintenance Airman to embed with supply for more than a month to help shape the program.
“Maintenance and supply work together every day, but we’re geographically separated and don’t always see how the other side operates,” Kotlowski said. “A lot of frustration comes from not understanding why the system works the way it does. The immersion helps bridge that knowledge gap and builds relationships.”
Through the program, supply Airmen spend time on the flight line observing how maintainers troubleshoot aircraft, while maintainers embed with the 19th LRS Materiel Management Flight to learn how parts are ordered, tracked and delivered. By seeing each other’s workflows firsthand, participants gain a clearer picture of how delays, shortages and system limitations affect the mission.
The initiative also supports practical improvements. Through coordination with the Supply Chain Operations Squadron, maintainers were granted access to the Integrated Logistics System–Supply, a database used to track aircraft parts and supply transactions. The access allows maintainers to independently verify part availability and document numbers without relying solely on phone calls, reducing unnecessary inquiries and improving coordination between squadrons.
Staff Sgt. Christopher Ramirez, 19th LRS materiel management specialist, helped build the supply-side training portion of the program.
“When maintainers come over here and see how parts are processed, they start ordering the right items the first time,” said Ramirez. “That saves time for them and for us, and it cuts down on a lot of back-and-forth.”
Initial feedback from participants shows improved communication and a stronger sense of teamwork between the two groups. Leaders have observed fewer misunderstandings, more professional courtesy and a stronger sense of shared purpose.
“At the end of the day, we have the same mission,” Bennett said. “We’re all trying to get those aircraft back in the air. Seeing that firsthand builds empathy and reminds people that the person on the other end of the phone call is working toward the same goal.”
For Kotlowski, the greatest impact has been the relationships formed through the program. He said knowing who to call and understanding the challenges on both sides helps resolve issues faster and strengthens teamwork across squadrons.