CGR office handles equipment from cradle to grave

Published Feb. 12, 2016
By Kimberly Woodruff
Staff Writer

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- If you've walked around in Bldg. 3001, you might have noticed the Cradle, Grave and Repair office. The four-member office supplies the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex with computer equipment.

According to Pete Fellwock, the Cradle, Grave and Repair lead, the cradle side purchases equipment and disperses it to Information Technology Equipment Custodians needing the computers for their work centers.

The grave side receives excess equipment, working or not, so it can be transferred from a custodian's account. Once the equipment is back on the grave's account, technicians either reclaim the equipment or get it ready for Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services (formerly Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office).

Reclaimed equipment is added to stock on hand and used for other work centers, thus reducing the need to purchase new equipment. Mr. Fellwock estimates the cost savings of reclaiming computers to be about $500 each. In 2015, they were able to reclaim 258 computers, adding up to a savings of $100,000.

"Reclaiming computers not only saves money, but stops the deluge of computers and equipment being trashed," said Mr. Fellwock, who manages a $1.5 million budget, which could reach $2 million, for the ALC alone.

The CGR office also performs warranty repair for computers. Mr. Fellwock said the office is able to do warranty and non-warranty repairs by calling the manufacturer for the parts they need.

Repaired computers are either returned to their original owner or go on the hot rack, where they are plugged in to the network and are ready to receive updates.

Kimberly Harris, chief, IT Hardware Asset Management, said the amount of equipment CGR supports has grown since its inception in 2008. External hard drives, E-tools and Time and Attendance system laptops now fall under Cradle, Grave and Repair, which keeps them busy. And while Voice IP phones are still being deployed, it's expected CGR will take on more responsibility for them in the future as well.

With only four people in the office, they struggle to keep up with the demand.
"Last year was a difficult and busy year, and we are still in that mode," said Ms. Harris.
"We have a new employee coming in a few weeks, but I think we might still need another full- time person. There is a lot more equipment we didn't have before and the ALC is growing by 1,000 people."

The 72nd Air Base Wing Communications Directorate provides the function via a Service Level Agreement with the OC-ALC, so it is a win-win for both sides, Ms. Harris said.

"The Cradle, Grave and Repair team does a superb job," she said. "They have an excellent rapport with their customers."

Added Mr. Fellwock, "It is nice to touch the equipment and take care of it the way it should be taken care of."

The Cradle to Grave office also supports Bldg. 9001's Consolidated Service Center with equipment.