Jan 29, 2016 --
With ever-growing budget cuts and dwindling resources,
it’s never been more important to save money in today’s Air Force. That’s where
the Air Force Repair Enhancement Program Airmen at Luke Air Force Base step in.
AFREP acts as a last stop before broken or damaged parts
are sent to the Defense Realization and Marketing Office to be disposed.
“We first pick up parts from the Flight Service Center
then we conduct the research necessary to determine if the part is salvageable,
repairable and can be restored to its original function,” said Staff Sgt.
Daniel Fournier, 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron AFREP technician. “If the
part is repairable, we fix the item in-house. If it isn’t, we’ll check to see
if an agency on base can fix it before we send it off to an outside company to
fix the item. If we can’t fix the item using these three options, we will then
send the item to DRMO.”
AFREP technicians are skilled and trained to make advanced
repairs.
“We have circuit card repair capabilities thanks to the
miniature, micro-miniature soldering school down at Davis-Monthan Air Force
Base,” said Tech. Sgt. Nathan Errington, 56th EMS AFREP manager. “This repair
capability has enhanced the skills of our technicians allowing us to make
quality, long-lasting repairs.”
In addition to circuit card repairs, Luke’s AFREP
technicians can repair wiring harnesses, aircraft electronics, communication
cables, headsets, aircraft panels, ground support equipment electronics, and
more.
On average, Luke AFREP technicians save the base $100,000
monthly. In fiscal 2015 alone, AFREP Airmen saved Luke $1.5 million.
“With the money saved, the base was able to fund the air
park museum renovation along with new laptops for the maintenance group, which
allows the maintainers to view their technical data while working on the
aircraft,” Errington said.
While Luke’s AFREP team may be small, their base-impact
is big.
“Saving money is something everyone should be concerned
with, especially in times of budget cuts and cutbacks on personnel,” Fournier
said. “The amount of money we save each year through repairs gets put right
back into the base. Some of it goes toward cosmetic repairs and some goes to
buying more versatile equipment for maintainers, or to whatever area the wing
or maintenance group deems necessary.”
For Fournier, being an AFREP technician is priceless.
“This is a very rewarding job,” he said. “Every time I
look at the air park or go into an aircraft maintenance unit, I see the results
of our hard work. The money we’ve saved has enhanced the look of our base as
well as the way our maintainers perform their day-to-day jobs. I love my job
and what it has done for Luke.”