FEATURES

Save green with AFREP

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Aileen Carter
  • Nellis Public Affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  The  Air Force Repair Enhancement Program shop is one of many pit stops for anyone needing a fix, ranging from aircraft parts to a 120-pin microchip on circuit card assemblies. 

With $1.3 million saved last year, this self-sustaining shop helps save dollars when a broken asset is repaired and returned serviceable into the supply system. 

"This program was established in 1992 and was called 'Gold Flag'," said Master Sgt. Jeff Javelona, 57th Wing AFREP manager. "It has saved Nellis more than $24 million dollars since its inception." 

With the start of this fiscal year, the shop has saved $325,000 and welcomes assets, primarily aircraft components, that require maintenance. 

The ability to fix items on the spot has translated to the repair of items that are time-sensitive or assets that cannot be repaired by other organizations on base, said Tech. Sgt. David Decker, AFREP technician. 

Tech. Sgt. David McCartney, HH-60 helicopter weapons expediter, said he went to AFREP for help when he learned that no organization on base was authorized to repair .50-caliber machine gun handgrips, and it would take some time before the replacement electronic control units would arrive. 

"It would be at least two years before we would have replacements for the handgrips and months before we would see the ECUs come in," Sergeant McCartney said. "These items are critical to our weapon system in that they enable our 66th Rescue Squadron flight engineers and gunners to go into combat, conduct search and rescue and do what they need to do to complete their mission." 

Although job satisfaction with each repair is rewarding, the most challenging aspect is finding technical data and parts required to fix some commercial items, Sergeant Decker said. 

In order to average 48 to 72-hour turnaround time for out-the-door fixes, AFREP technicians are selected from an electronically and mechanically strong background, must undergo training to become miniature micro-soldering certified and learn to troubleshoot at the smallest component level, Sergeant Javelona said. 

In addition to the technical expertise, an ingredient contributing to the success of this four-man shop is having their own supply liaison. 

"I do the bulk of the work in terms of getting parts into the shop, negotiating quotes with contractors and procuring parts for repairable assets," said Mr. Clifton Cornelius, AFREP materials examiner and identifier and supply liaison. 

Located at Tyndall and Griffiss avenues, AFREP is one of many organizations helping to save money and time in the support of the missions here. 

"We fix what others can't," Sergeant Decker said.