Dover AFB Airmen use app, streamline process

  • Published
  • By Mauricio Campino
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  

Airmen from the 736th Aircraft Maintenance and 3rd Airlift Squadrons recently began using the Mattermost app to streamline and expedite flight debriefs.

The app allows instant messaging between users through a web browser from personal or government devices including smartphones, tablets and computers. Through two-factor authentication, users can securely communicate with or without a Common Access Card. 

On average, aircrews are completing the debrief process two hours faster than before the app was implemented, allowing them to start post-mission crew rest sooner.

“It’s really convenient having our post-mission paperwork finished by the time we land. It’s literally drag and dropping files,” said Maj. Steven Beachler, 3rd Airlift Squadron director of operations.

The app is an Impact Level 4 approved program, meaning users can securely share documents deemed “For Official Use Only” and those containing “Controlled Unclassified Information,” personal identification information and private health information. Users can upload and store documents for themselves or to share with other users.

Using the app’s FOUO capabilities, 3rd AS aircrews are now digitally sharing debrief paperwork to 736th AMXS maintenance crews.  

“The key benefit of instituting this process is time savings for both maintenance and aircrew”, said Lt.Col Kevin Scholz, 736th AMXS commander. “Digital forms provide legible, typed data, which is much easier to read and reduces the potential for errors.”

This new process also eliminates the need to scan paper documents for digital archiving. Instead, forms are shared electronically, verified for accuracy and signed digitally.

“Were able to use this app to directly communicate with flight crews as they return from flights,” said Senior Airman Joseph Paolini, 736th AMXS debrief journeyman.

In person debriefs are still part of the debrief process as they ensure any discrepancies are fully understood by both aircrew and maintenance personnel. 

Since the process was implemented and showcased the ability to save valuable time to all parties involved, Scholz hopes other squadrons take notice of the benefits and implement similar cross-organizational processes to improve and streamline workflow.