AFREP saves dollar bills

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Areca T. Bell
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  As budget constraints increase, Airmen may be forced to choose between essential items to successfully carry out their mission. Luckily, there's an office Team Aviano members can call to help avoid this dilemma.

Members of Aviano's Air Force Repair Enhancement Program work behind the scenes, repairing items ranging from aircraft parts, to gym equipment and marquees, for free.

"Nowadays we are operating in fiscal constraints, so we have to make do with what we have," explained Tech. Sgt. Bryan Rivera, 31st Maintenance Group AFREP manager. "Preventative maintenance and repair can preserve particular items in work centers, which is a great need now. We help people hold on to items, so they can allocate funds to those things they need within their section."

To help save money for base operations, the program aims to maximize unit resources through cost avoidance by fixing items instead of buying new. Additionally, they earn money through cost savings by refurbishing condemned items instead of discarding them.

"We make money because certain condemned aircraft components are thrown in the trash. We take a good number of those parts and refurbish them to manufacturer specifications," Rivera said. "We then return these items back into the supply system and we get 100 percent turn-in credit for those items."

During fiscal year 2015, Aviano's AFREP fixed an average of 12 items per month, earning more than $1.2 million in cost avoidance and $539,000 in cost savings.

The money generated by the three-man shop does not solely benefit them, but also benefits the wing. Their earnings filled an approximate $400,000 gap to complete the Wyvern Gym, which opened during January, 2015.

Each Airman selected to fulfill this special-duty position goes through an intense seven-week course where they receive Modular Test Repair, miniature and micro miniature circuit card repair training. They then employ these techniques to troubleshoot and repair components.

"[If items are] physically broken we troubleshoot discrepancies and identify the component that needs to be replaced. Then we get a manual online, break them down and repair them either electrically, utilizing the schematics or replacing the broken part," explained Rivera. "When it comes to repairing components along the lines of aircraft, we have technical or manufacturing data to repair or refurbish those parts to manufacturer technical direction."

Team AFREP not only uses their training to fix items, but also to come up with innovative ways to be successful. While fixing an air-conditioning panel, the technical order data called for an air-conditioning power tester. The team built a tester, which provided the sole off-aircraft testing ability within the 31st MXG and cut and eight-hour turnaround time down by 75 percent.

"The things these guys come up with, or the ideas they have and the way they implement them, is just amazing," said Rivera. "Sometimes I think our backs are pinned against the wall, yet they come up with great ideas."

In their quest to help others save money, AFREP's hurdle most often faced is helping customers in a timely manner because they have to prioritize on a mission-essential basis.

"The biggest challenge is the demand for our services," said Rivera. "We want to be able to fulfill everyone's needs as fast as they want, but because we are at a reduced number, it's difficult to meet that demand. We can meet the customer's, but on a priority basis."

Although items are fixed by precedence, Rivera explained that helping every customer is their priority.

"The biggest thing is helping [Team Aviano members]--making sure they have what they need and supporting their mission the best way possible," Rivera said. "Hearing [customers] say, 'Hey, thank you. I really needed that.' is the best part of my job, I can honestly say."

Senior Airman Edgar Diaz, 31st MXG AFREP technician, encourages members to give them a call before spending money on new items.

"People should use our services because we help save money for free," he said. "Our main goal is making money. Other people's trash is our treasure."

For more information or to use AFREP's services, call 632-8506 or 632-8507.