Save a million, call AFREP

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.- Staff Sgt. Erik Chenault inspects a controller circuit cord assembly during a troubleshoot in the Air Force Repair Enhancement Program (AFREP) office here, June 21, 2011. To ensure all components are working properly circuit board are inspected and then repaired if needed. AFREP repair aircraft parts, XBoxs, Play Station 3s, laptops, flat screen televisions and much more. Sergeant Chenault is a 4th Maintenance Operations Squadron circuit cord repair technician and a native of Lexington, Ky. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Whitney Lambert/ Released)

Save a million, call AFREP

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C.- Staff Sgt. Erik Chenault performs a visual inspection on a controller circuit cord assembly during a troubleshoot in the Air Force Repair Enhancement Program (AFREP) office here, June 21, 2011. During a troubleshoot, all components on a circuit board are inspected. AFREP Airmen repair broken items to save the Air Force money. Sergeant Chenault is a 4th Maintenance Operations Squadron circuit cord repair technician and native of Lexington, Ky. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Whitney Lambert/ Released)

Save a million, call AFREP

Published June 15, 2011
By Maj. Kimberly Grover
4th Maintenance Operations Squadron Commander

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- With today's federal budget cuts, saving money is a priority in the 4th Fighter Wing. The 4th Maintenance Group has taken the lead, as the Air Force Repair Enhancement Program (AFREP) Office here saved the 4th FW a total of $4.9 million throughout fiscal year 2010.

The AFREP team uses innovative initiatives to repair aircraft, aircraft support equipment and several other things at different areas of the base that would normally be thrown away. The program allows used equipment that would otherwise be disposed of to be returned to the supply system for future consumption. The money saved from recycling aircraft parts is passed on to the wing to use for funding of base improvements and quality of life projects.

"Our focus is on saving money, but it's also on filling mission capable holes as well because with the aircraft not getting any younger, there is a premium put on recouping costs and repairing parts associated with keeping these aging aircraft in the air," said Master Sgt. Chad Dye, AFREP manager.

AFREP deals with two aspects of repair; cost avoidance and cost savings. Tech Sgt. David Miller, AFREP contractor and supply liaison, tracks the mission capable (MICAP) report daily to see if any holes can be filled with AFREP repaired items.

"Our mission here is to augment supply with needed parts to perform seamless maintenance operations," Sergeant Miller said.

The Airmen of AFREP have proven themselves in repairing unique items. For example, AFREP repairs the F-15E Strike Eagle flight control stick grip which has alleviated the need for replacing the entire control stick, enhancing aircraft availability. They also learned to repair the 8mm video tape recorders used in the F-15E Strike Eagle for recording flight characteristics.

Their repairs are not limited to just aircraft here. In the past, they have repaired XBOX's and Play Station 3's for the Solid Rock Café here, speed checking carts for the 4th Security Forces Squadron, flat screen televisions for the Southern Eagle Dining Facility and laptop computers from various flights throughout the wing as well.

The AFREP office is constantly seeking new initiatives to add to its program portfolio. Currently, the office is researching the feasibility of repairing instruments the 4th Aerospace Medicine Dental Squadron uses during routine dental cleanings. No repair is too small or out of the realm of possibilities.

These Airmen are equipped with all the tools required to provide wing-level repair capability to the highest standard achievable. Before you throw that part away or turn it in as non-repairable, call AFREP at (919)722-2343.