Tech. Sgt. Caleb Nicholas, 20th Maintenance Group Air Force Enhancement Program manager, looks under a microscope as he fixes a signal light at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 14, 2013. AFREP is a program that revolves around finding parts that are being thrown away and finding ways to repair them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nicole Sikorski)
Tech. Sgt. Caleb Nicholas, 20th Maintenance Group Air Force Enhancement Program manager, fixes a signal light at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., March 14, 2013. AFREP is a program that revolves around finding parts that are being thrown away and finding ways to repair them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nicole Sikorski)
by Airman 1st Class Nicole Sikorski
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
3/29/2013 - SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (AFNS) -- As budget cuts affect the quality of life in the Air Force, military personnel are adapting to changes from the government's financial trouble.
A group of Airmen from the 20th Maintenance Group Air Force Repair Enhancement Program, or also known as the "base geek squad," are doing their part to bring improvements.
The geek squad has done just that by saving the Air Force $11.5 million in the past five years.
But how has the five-man shop found such savings?
Through the program called AFREP, which revolves around finding parts that are being thrown away and then finding ways to repair them.
Formerly called Gold Flag, AFREP has been around since the mid '90s, and the premiere focus was circuit card repair. However, unlike circuit card repairs, purchasing new ones can be costly. The program was adopted from the Navy career field, 2M (micro-miniature circuit card repair), which has now blossomed into one that fixes all aircraft parts.
According to Tech. Sgt. Caleb Nicholas, 20th MXG, AFREP manager, AFREP is not only an aircraft part repair shop. They fix anything from microwaves and televisions to medical equipment.
"We are the base dumpster divers," he added. "We really want to spread the word that if you have broken equipment to bring it here. That goes for anyone. When it comes to fixing anything electronic, if we don't know how to fix it, we will find out."
AFREP emphasizes the importance of being resourceful.
"The mindset of society is, 'throw it away and buy a new one,'" said Staff Sgt. Aaron Kirby, AFREP technician. "We are about fixing what we have instead of spending money to buy new things."
"You have to be that guy who likes to take stuff apart and put it back together," Nicholas said. "We're the Air Force geek squad."
Often times, the funds attained from AFREP are used to improve the quality of life for Airmen.
"Last year, we (redirected) $45,000 to each squadron to buy new personal protective equipment," Kirby said.
When a part is broken, it is taken to supply so that a new one can be ordered and then funds are allocated to order the part. Once the funds are approved, the part is sent to AFREP. Once it is fixed, the part is then returned to supply, the funds which were originally allocated to pay for the new one, are sent back and shared between the maintenance group and the wing.
Those funds can be used at the commander's discretion to improve areas such as quality of life or buying new supplies for the work environment.
Anything that cannot be repaired by an on-base unit, or parts that require a level of repair beyond their capability, are sent to AFREP.
As times continue to change and so do circumstances, Airmen at the Shaw AFB geek squad will continue to help the Air Force adjust and adapt.
Comments
4/5/2013 8:11:37 AM ET Gabe from Ga Let me help you out with some AFREP facts. For starters the AFREP shop here at Shaw AFB has made 771K so far this FY in hard cash that was reinvested into the 20FW. The funds were used for items like IEU equipment for flightline workers contract maintenance and beautification for the base and various other items necessary that the Wing's budget didn't cover. Another fact the AFREP shop takes parts that were deemed throw away by the AF and repairs them to put back in the supply system. This not only saves money but also keeps jets from getting grounded due of the lack of parts in supply. This is especially important for jets in the AOR. Also AFREP shops save money by fixing equipment used on the base whether flightline or commercial so the AF does have to expend funds to replace the equipment. The last fact I want to cover is that that AFREP shops are self-sustaining. What I mean by that is any expense incurred by the AFREP shop is covered by the money t
mike broxon, shaw afb
4/2/2013 11:17:18 AM ET Unfortunately the Air Force is going to have to pay those millions right back out when Best Buy sues for infringing on their Geek Squad trademark.
PB, US
4/1/2013 4:08:29 PM ET In Every Article I read or every EPR I review the Airmen in them save the Air Force Millions and Millions of dollars. But the Air Force is still bleeding money like MC Hammer. So its time to ask the tough questions.For instance how much money does it cost to keep these Geek Squad shops open and how much to they Actually save the Air Force Not theoretical money. How much HARD CASH have these guys actually saved Afrep the unfortunate victims of this comment and analysis saved the Air Force 11.5 million in 5 years. I can all but guarentee you that this shop costs the Air Force far more than that. The Shop the tools spare parts hardware training PPE chemicals the price to ship the components in AND out the vehicles they use not to include the members their benefits and the assets they use like the base pool gym chow hall ect.The same applies for aircraft mx. I replaced a main Landing gear brake on my aircraft. The brake was valued at 5000 while the Aircraf
