What is the Air Force's approach to "sustainment" in supply chains?

The Air Force's approach to "sustainment" in supply chains is centered on maintenance, repair, and logistics throughout the entire life cycle of weapons systems. This concept is crucial because effective sustainment ensures that equipment remains operational and ready for use as required. It involves not just the initial provision of equipment, but ongoing support that includes periodic maintenance, timely repairs, and efficient logistics management, allowing the Air Force to maintain capability and readiness over time.

Sustainment activities are essential for maximizing the longevity and effectiveness of existing systems, minimizing downtime, and ensuring that fleets are mission-ready in response to operational requirements. By focusing on these critical components, the Air Force can achieve improved performance and cost-effectiveness, sustaining operations and addressing issues that arise during the life cycle of equipment.

This approach contrasts with other aspects like providing initial equipment to new units, which, while necessary, is not the focus of sustainment. Enhancing procurement processes and developing new weapons systems technology are also important to the overall supply chain management but are more related to acquisition rather than the sustainment phase which deals with existing systems.