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Settling into 9001

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Ah, home sweet home.

Four Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center and Defense Logistics Agency shops have moved or are in the process of relocating to Bldg. 9001, the newest facility in the Tinker Aerospace Complex.

Formerly an automobile assembly plant, several shop employees said they like their new digs.

"American Federation of Government Employees Local 916 worked with management to ensure that Bldg. 9001 was ready to house our work force," said James Schmidt, AFGE Local 916 president. "The building and its facilities have come a long way since the original 'Friends of Tinker' campaign and we give praise to our Tinker employees for their hard work on the transformation."

Randy Perkins, a jet engine mechanic in the 545th Propulsion Maintenance Squadron's TF33 turbo fan engine Two-Level Maintenance shop, agreed.

"I feel like I'm very much a part of history," he said . "It's good now, but it's going to be a whole lot better once everything is in here."

Situated at Post Y40 in Bldg. 9001, Mr. Perkins said his shop of approximately 100 employees moved into the facility from Bldg. 3001 in July. While there are still some kinks to workout, Mr. Perkins looks forward to the future when they are all situated in the 2.5-million square-foot building.

"All of our supplies and the people who make parts for us are going to be our neighbors instead of spread out all over the base," he said.

Co-worker Jack Owens agreed.

"You can't complain about getting a new facility," said Mr. Owens. "The space is clean and I guess the hardest part is trying to figure out what to do with all of the space they gave us."

By the end of 2009, OC-ALC officials said the four operational units will occupy approximately 600,000 square feet in Bldg. 9001. The facility will house roughly 600 employees.

John Brooker, of the 551st Commodities Maintenance Squadron sheet metal shop and union steward with the AFGE Local 916, situated at Post M23 in Bldg. 9001 said he appreciates the improved lighting and better air flow.

Mr. Brooker, an aircraft sheet metal mechanic, moved to Bldg. 9001 from Bldg. 2101 in early August. Mr. Brooker had worked at Bldg. 2101 for the past 10 years.

Coworker Mike Strong agreed.

"This is better than other buildings where you're cooped up and some areas get to be 90 degrees with fans," he said.

Since the Air Force began leasing the former GM complex from Oklahoma County, approximately $22 million has been spent on renovations. Expenditures were for increasing lighting, reflective floor coatings, addressing fire and Americans with Disabilities Act codes as well as creating break rooms and updating bathrooms.

By the end of fiscal year 2009 three sheet metals shops, comprised of more than 500 people will consolidate from three separate buildings - Bldgs. 3705, 2121 and 2101 - to Bldg. 9001. When the entire complex is finished sometime after 2013, the 76th CMXG will have consolidated from their existing footprint of 26 buildings to 10 buildings.

"It's huge and you can visualize where we're heading as far as workload," said Eric Puente, 545th PMXS's TF33 2LM shop jet engine mechanic and shop steward for the American Federation of Government Employees Local 916. "There's nothing negative about this building, but understand it takes time. We've got to be patient. We can't make everything happen overnight."

Mr. Puente said he think it might take five to 10 years before Bldg. 9001 is up and running at full capacity.

Additionally, Dwayne Miller, a 76th Commodities Maintenance Group transformation union steward with the AFGE Local 916, said occupying Bldg. 9001 will better set Tinker up for the future, should Base Realignment and Closure officials consider closing Tinker.

"This facility will add more jobs and keep us in business," Mr. Miller said. "It will all work out fine."