'AFREP-airing' equipment saves funds
By Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado, 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
/ Published June 13, 2017
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U.S. Airmen assigned to the 20th Maintenance Group Air Force Repair Enhancement Program (AFREP) flight, prepare equipment for repair at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., June 12, 2017. Airmen assigned to the AFREP flight have saved the 20th Fighter Wing approximately $3.8 million so far in the 2017 fiscal year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado)
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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alexander Creznic, 20th Maintenance Group Air Force Repair Enhancement Program (AFREP) technician, prepares to solder a computer’s motherboard at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., June 12, 2017. AFREP Airmen repair items from every squadron on base not under government contracts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado)
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A solder thermal management center reads 650 degrees Fahrenheit at the 20th Maintenance Group’s Air Force Repair Enhancement Program (AFREP) work center at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., June 12, 2017. Airmen assigned to the flight utilize numerous tools to include solders and microscopes to troubleshoot, inspect and repair items. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado)
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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alexander Creznic, 20th Maintenance Group Air Force Repair Enhancement Program (AFREP) technician, looks at a computer’s motherboard at the AFREP work center at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., June 12, 2017. Aside from flightline equipment, AFREP Airmen are capable of repairing various items ranging from metal detectors to vacuums. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado)
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U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alexander Creznic, 20th Maintenance Group Air Force Repair Enhancement Program (AFREP) technician, uses a wire brush to clean a capacitor removed from a computer’s motherboard at the AFREP work center at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., June 12, 2017. The savings from this flight’s services have funded projects such as the 20th Component Maintenance Squadron paint booth and sun shades for Shaw’s 79 F-16CM Fighting Falcons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Christopher Maldonado)
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --
Rows of electronics and tools line the shelves of a spacious work center where a group of Airmen sit among pieces of equipment in need of repair.
The technicians assigned to the 20th Maintenance Group Air Force Repair Enhancement Program shop are tasked with effectively repairing damaged items in an effort to save the Air Force and the 20th Fighter Wing money.
“We will take items that may need repair from the flightline,” said Staff Sgt. Alexander Creznic, 20th MXG AFREP technician. “We will walk up (the flightline) and do a feasibility check, repairing any and all damaged items in our capability.”
So far the AFREP flight has saved approximately $3.8 million in fiscal year 2017.
Due in part to savings from these repairs, the wing has been able to provide funding for projects such as the 20th Component Maintenance Squadron paint booth and sun shades for Shaw’s 79 F-16CM Fighting Falcons.
Since numerous agencies on base need assistance with repairing equipment, these Airmen are willing to receive a wide variety of items.
“We mainly work with aircraft parts and flightline equipment,” said Tech. Sgt. Scott Williams, 20th MXG AFREP manager. “That is approximately 90 percent of what we repair. We will step out of that realm if someone brings us anything to include a vacuum, a shredder, or even a metal detector.”
When working on various pieces of equipment, the Airmen gain a better understanding of how their job affects more than just the installation.
“We have the ability to see how we directly impact the Air Force,” said Creznic. “We are able to see how much the component costs, what it affects, and how it will affect the customer and their mission.”