Maintenance stands, generators and... tricycles?

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristopher Levasseur
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The 48th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Aerospace Ground Equipment flight is widely known for fixing equipment from aircraft maintenance stands to generators, but recently they took on a new task - fixing tricycles.

After a recent inspection at the Mildenhall Child Development Center, 13 tricycles and seven scooters were found in disrepair and needed to be repaired or replaced within 90 days.

"Master Sgt. Patrick Felan brought the idea out to the AGE shop and Staff Sgt. Loeschke took the lead and formed a refurbishment team," said Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Brown, 48th EMS AGE assistant section team chief. "The shop organized donations and had the bikes refurbished and returned to the CDC within two days."

If the AGE flight had not refurbished the tricycles, it would have cost the Mildenhall CDC more than $3,500 to replace them.

"The Age flight saved the Mildenhall CDC money and made the children happy," said Nick Bates, Mildenhall CDC assistant director. "It was very nice to see a Lakenheath flight jumping in to help a Mildenhall flight."

The tricycles are used by more than 120 children and the money saved by the repairs will now be used to purchase other equipment for the CDC.

"When we first got the tricycles, they had a lot of paint chips and there was a substantial amount of rust," said Sergeant Brown.

The AGE shop not only dedicated more than 140 man hours to the refurbishment project, but they also raised more than $200 from within the AGE flight to purchase the materials needed to fix the equipment.

"This was actually one of the first volunteer opportunities that our shop has participated in that had a significant impact on our community," said Sergeant Brown. "It gave everyone who participated a feeling of accomplishment for helping the kids."

According to Mr. Bates, the entire team that refurbished the tricycles was very friendly and professional.

"I would just like to thank everyone who helped with the work," said Mr. Bates. "I know some of the members who worked on the tricycles may not have children or use the Mildenhall CDC. This just goes to show that what the AGE flight did was a simple act of kindness."