Restoration, expansion continue in Bldg. 9001

Published Feb. 17, 2011
By Brandice J. O'Brien
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Bldg. 9001 has come a long way since the Air Force acquired leasing rights in 2008. From the outside, the former General Motors plant may remind Oklahomans of its car manufacturing days. But inside, it's a whole other story.

Just a year ago, 600 Tinker personnel from three 76th Maintenance Wing organizations called Bldg. 9001 "home." These days, more than 1,600 maintenance wing members, plus 42 Boeing and Defense Logistics Agency employees work there. By the end of 2013, it is estimated more than 2,000 Tinker personnel will be situated in the building.

"Bldg. 9001 can be looked at as a kind of blank canvas," said Darrel Anderson, Tinker Aerospace Complex program manager assigned to the 76th Maintenance Support Group. "Having this facility has provided a unique opportunity to create highly efficient shops and increase production, which ultimately helps the warfighter."

At one time, before Tinker took hold of Bldg. 9001, it had been a thriving facility. In 1979, the plant opened and churned out "X-body" cars. Years later, it produced the Chevy Malibu. And in 2001, five years before it unexpectedly closed, it manufactured sport-utility vehicles.

When it closed, Air Force officials brainstormed a new use for the automobile plant. But, it wasn't until 2008 when Oklahoma County purchased the 407-acre campus that the plan came to fruition. Through a lease agreement, Tinker is using the campus, which houses six industrial facilities and one office building - nearly 4-million square-feet of usable space.

In September 2008, Tinker and Oklahoma County personnel began demolition and renovations on Bldg. 9001. Worth approximately $22 million, they added new lights, reflective floor coatings, updated bathrooms and created break rooms. Additionally, they removed roughly 14,000 tons of steel, which was a part of the overhead and in-ground conveyer systems.

Mr. Anderson said approximately 85 percent of the demolition is complete.

Though 90 percent of renovations are performed by the 76th MXSG's Installation Flight, several other agencies participated and have contributed to the renovation success.

At least 10 other on-base units are crucial to the facility's renovation. Without organizations including the 72nd Security Forces Squadron, building personnel wouldn't have security or easy access entry to and from the facility from an off-base road. Without Tinker Support Services Joint Venture, units wouldn't have utilities in the building and without the 72nd Air Base Wing Civil Engineer Directorate, there would be lack of coordination for construction and facility project designs. Additionally, Oklahoma County is constructing a permanent gate from off-base.

Plus, many shop owners are also helping with the effort.

"The various production shops themselves - 76th Commodities Maintenance Group, 76th Propulsion Maintenance Group and 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group - played a major role in relocating and start up with minimal downtime or impact on production schedules," said George Carr, 76th MXSG Industrial Equipment Flight deputy chief.

Bldg. 9001 is a far cry from an empty automobile manufacturing plant. It is also equipped with one ATM, another on the way, and a convenience store located upstairs at the middle mezzanine.

Thomas Leinneweber, 546th Propulsion Maintenance Squadron chief of Production Support, said the squadron has four engine shops and 140 people working in the building. Prior to the move to Bldg. 9001, the shops had relocated several times within Bldg. 3001 in the past eight to 10 years. With each move, the shop was consolidated or "shoe-horned" into another area.

"We were in a state of flux," Mr. Leinneweber said.

But now, he and his staff are happy with their space.

Each shop maintains up to 20 engines and when they moved to Bldg. 9001, the areas were custom-designed for their needs.

"We have gained a 30-percent increase in floor space when we moved here, but have the same number of engines," he said. "We had quite a congested work area. Now, we have a good, functional shop now that's designed for engines."