Maintenance units settling in, making home in Bldg. 9001

Published March 18, 2010
By Brandice J. Armstrong
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- A lot can happen in six months. Bldg. 9001 is proof.

In August 2009, Bldg. 9001 made its industrial debut. Presented to the local and Air Force Materiel Command community as the newest addition to the Tinker Aerospace Complex, guest speakers spoke of the potential within its 2.5-million square feet. They overlooked its vast empty space and the few scattered workers to envision a bustling overhaul facility.

As of early March, more than 600 personnel from three 76th Maintenance Wing organizations call the former General Motors automobile assembly plant home.

"A year ago when you walked into Bldg. 9001 the first impression was, 'it's an empty car manufacturing plant.' Today when you walk in, it strikes you as a 'first-class manufacturing and repair facility,'" said Brig. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, 76th Maintenance Wing commander. "It's absolutely amazing how much has changed and how busy the place has become. We're working three shifts and expanding. It's a real tribute to everyone who has made this transformation happen."

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 made 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.

"When we first got here, it was like GM had just moved out," said George Carr, 76th Maintenance Support Squadron Equipment Maintenance Mechanic supervisor. "It was just like a ghost town."

In September 2008, Mr. Carr with about 80 Tinker officials began renovations, worth approximately $22 million, on Bldg. 9001. They added new lights, reflective floor coatings, updated bathrooms and created break rooms. Additionally, they removed roughly 15,000 tons of steel, which was a part of the overhead and in-ground conveyer systems.

"All that had to completely come out," Mr. Carr said. "We were changing this from an automobile assembly line-type structure to an engine-repair overhaul and sheet metal repair-overhaul facility for planes."

In July and August 2009, the first shops moved in. They belonged to the 551st Commodities Maintenance Squadron and the 545th Propulsion Maintenance Squadron.

While shop personnel, including Russell Anderson, 551st CMMXS work leader for the KC-135 fillet flaps shop, were excited to be at Bldg. 9001, the new facility offered its own set of challenges.

Situated away from Tinker's already-established industrial campus, there was no easy and accessible entrance to Bldg. 9001 from off-base. There was no ATM, snack bar or cafeteria.

But, Mr. Anderson said, it was cleaner, offered more space and a consistent air temperature, unlike Bldg. 2101 where he had been.

"It's an overall better work environment," said Mr. Anderson, who moved to Bldg. 9001 in August 2009. He is one of 500 personnel from the 551st CMMXS who now call the facility home.

Candi Conley, a 545th Propulsion Maintenance Squadron flight chief, agreed.

"I love it," said Ms. Conley, who is one of 100 employees from the 545th PMXS at Bldg. 9001. "I'm glad this building is not going to waste. It's being utilized for our warfighters. I think it's awesome that we didn't let something like this deteriorate and we're putting it to good use."

In recent months, a temporary gate is available to employees for their morning commute and a cantina opened.

Officials said transitioning the facility from a few scattered workers to a bustling depot was no easy feat. It took time, planning and effort as shops from four buildings moved into new facility. Three of the buildings were filled with commodities personnel and today, that equates to nearly 20 shops, not including the propulsion maintenance group's four shops, the maintenance support group's shop or the 76th Aircraft Maintenance Group's E-3 Block 40/45 modification-kit storage area.

"We moved the shops in six phases so we could continue the high support to our customer," said Michael Wenzel, 76th Commodities Maintenance Group deputy director. "We moved half of a shop, made sure everything was up and running and then moved the rest of the shop so we could have a continuous output of product."

And, it paid off.

"We're looking at about a 20-percent efficiency improvement when it's all done because we won't be routing parts all over Tinker," Mr. Wenzel said. "We'll have everything consolidated in very close operations, yet not being cramped. It's like the best of everything."

Col. Herbert Phillips, 76th CMXG commander, agreed.

"The design of the commodities area also sets us up for expanding workloads and taking on additional workloads, because we have a little bit more space," the colonel said. "We thought that through during the design process."

By 2013, it is estimated the commodities maintenance group's footprint will have reduced from 26 buildings to 10, with a majority of employees relocating to Bldg. 9001.

"Already, it's like a small city. It's like walking down the main street and there's hustle and bustle going on everywhere," Colonel Phillips said. "You hear the sounds of rivet guns and drills, and see parts and people moving up and down the aisles. It has come alive in the last six months and is just incredible."