Joseph Mather
The Art of the Possible (AoP) keeps the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex (WR-ALC) at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, at the forefront of Air Force innovation and process improvements.
A key factor contributing to its success is the WR-ALC Art of the Possible office, led by J.R. Russell, the complex’s subject matter expert (SME) for AoP. In his role, Russell oversees implementation and maturation of AoP principles across the WR-ALC, driving operational performance and excellence.
AoP is a constraint-based management system designed to create a workforce culture focused on efficient process execution. The system, which establishes a standardized set of operating principles, was established as the universal management system within the Air Force Sustainment Center in 2012 when the Air Force had been looking for better ways to do business.
“The AoP SME’s mission is to apply this system that merges methods like Theory of Constraints, Lean, Six Sigma and Operations Management,” said Russell. “This powerful process management system drives action, focusing efforts on processes and constraints that give the highest return on investment. As Lt. Gen. Stacy Hawkins, the Air Force Sustainment Center commander, has stated, ‘AoP is not what we do, it is how we do. It is the playbook that allows us to operate as one team across each of our 27 operating locations.’”
Russell performs his mission by advising the WR-ALC commander on AoP implementation and assessing AoP application and maturity.
“AoP teaches leaders to manage their bandwidth and control works in progress, leading to increased throughput and reduced flow days,” he said. “The WR-ALC has adjusted to this lesson by constantly monitoring work in process levels and ensuring that work is fully supportable before beginning the task or operation.”
The AoP office also provides training to the complex and AFSC members, including multiple AoP courses, to grow and mature AoP processes and AoP-minded leaders.
According to Russell, the office has seen immediate results, with some units experiencing success soon after applying AoP principles.
“The C-5 enterprise team, for example, reduced flow days to produce a C-5 aircraft going through Programmed Depot Level Maintenance (PDM) by 508 flow days, earning them the DoD Mason Award. The C-130 enterprise team sold a record 50 PDM/D-check aircraft through strict adherence to AoP principles in fiscal year 2024.”
Russell said his experience with AoP has been exciting, as he has used his knowledge to teach, mentor, and help other organizations across the WR-ALC and 78th Air Base Wing at Robins AFB.
“I have seen a culture of change throughout the WR-ALC, with units embracing AoP principles and striving for continuous improvement,” he said. “The AoP will be a force multiplier in strategic competition, as it teaches leaders to look for ways to use existing continuous improvement, along with innovation tools and methods to build, solve, and/or improve processes necessary to meet today's demanding requirements and tomorrow’s threats.”
OKLAHOMA CITY – J.R. Russell, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex Art of the Possible Deputy director from Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, teaches the Art of the Possible 402 Course Oct. 24, 2024, at the University of Oklahoma Rainbolt Graduate School of business in Oklahoma City. Attendees learned about the AFSC business model and management system, which is designed to create leaders who are committed and equipped to implement AoP within their organizations, empowering and engaging non-supervisory personnel to become data driven decision-makers and problem-solvers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Grady Epperly) 
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – J.R. Russell, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex Art of the Possible deputy director, welcomes WR-ALC newcomers to the complex familiarization tour at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Feb. 6, 2025. The tour taught new employees the mission of each group and how each unit contributes to the overhaul and repair process of Department of Defense aircraft sustained at Robins. (U.S. Air Force photo by Joseph Mather)