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Ramstein maintenance Airmen opened a new aerospace ground equipment facility recently, designed around Air Force Smart Operations for the 21st century principles to increase the unit’s effectiveness.
The approximately $17 million construction project began more than seven years ago with the help from AFSO21 techniques to replace the aging and inefficient structure. Now complete, the 86th Maintenance Squadron AGE Airmen are provided the tools and facility to overcome any obstacle.
“Years ago when Ramstein was a fighter base, we had AGE facilities scattered everywhere to accommodate that mission,” said Maj. Michael Thompson, 86th Maintenance Squadron commander. “When our role changed to supporting cargo airframes we found we could consolidate all of our efforts into one location, however, it was not designed with all of AGE in mind, so there were some challenges along the way. We of course made it work, because that’s what we do as Airmen, but when the opportunity arose to build a new facility, we incorporated AFSO21 procedures to make it the best it could possibly be.”
The facility, now located centrally on the flightline, allows Airmen and civilian personnel to quickly maintain air and ground equipment for all of Ramstein.
“Where we put the building and everything inside it was the focus,” Thompson said. “It all runs like a factory line. No longer will a technician have to run across the room every five minutes for tools or move equipment everywhere to finish checks. We strived to eliminate any wasted time walking back and forth or distractions along the way to ensure everything flows with efficiency.”
The AGE flight here experiences a unique challenge making their presence essential. Ramstein’s multifaceted mission places high demands on units, and the AGE flight Airmen work together to overcome any task given to them.
“We are very excited to have a new facility,” said 2nd Lt. Su Johnson, 86th MXS AGE flight commander. “The new work space opens up so many opportunities for the flight and how we can show case a world class operation here in Europe.”
The AGE Airmen prepare any and all ground equipment on the flightline to ensure aircraft are able to support any contingency operations around the world, and now with the new facility, they will do so more effectively while saving taxpayer dollars.
“The old facility was a massive engine shop that was highly inefficient,” Thompson said. “What we have now is not only smaller but is more economical and decisive in everything we do. Inside this facility there are no bells and whistles, it is everything a technician needs to get the mission done. We looked back at AFSO21 to decide what we need and don’t and because of that we are able to do our job better with less people and money.”
