Improvement of Mission Capable Rate (MCR) depends on factors such as transportation & logistics, resource loading & scheduling, and Available Parts & materials (AP&M). As shown in Figure 1, AP&M is a function of forecasting accuracy, which in turn, depends on the software, data, and vendor reliability data. Thus, to improve MCR, it is necessary to develop a clear understanding of the process for determining parts & materials requirements. This clear understanding of how to determine right amount of AP&M also means LSI stakeholders will have better risk management, better inventory management, better contract negotiation relationship, more efficient use of human capital, smoother production management and better supply chain management. Under ideal conditions, the right types of materials and parts would be available in the right quantities, at the right place, at the right time, and at affordable cost in order for the government and industry air force sustainment system to provide the required services efficiently, flexibly, and responsively under varying demand conditions. However, materials and parts shortages have led to a number of critical systems to have an unusually long Awaiting Parts (AWP) status during normal maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations. The situation has caused high cannibalization rates and long cycle times for MRO operations for some critical systems. In a few cases, the AWP problem has been documented to be a reason for poor mission capability rates on associated weapon systems. Given this critical situation, the Sustainment Operations Team was charged with researching the underlying causes to the AWP problem and the impact that this problem was having on government and commercial MRO production operations.