Truckin on

Dedicated to the Men and Women

of
AF Vehicle Operations & Maintenance Past, Present, and Future

1 Nov 2014

Special Points of Interest:

Green Fleet Award PG 1
Wolf Pack PG 1 - 2
Veterans Day PG 3 - 4

Inside this issue:

Crossroadscareer choices
after retirement

PG 5 - 8

New TechnologyServing
the Warfighter

PG 8

SAC IG Inbound!

PG 9

Eglins Corrosion Control

Program

PG 10 - 11

Automotive News & Info

PG 11

HMMWV Upgrade

PG 12
Airmen from the 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron load cargo onto a long-bed truck at
Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 9, 2014. The equipment is being sent to Osan AB to
support 8th Fighter Wing flying operations while the runway at Kunsan undergoes
construction. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Taylor Curry/Released)

8 LRS keeps the Pack moving

by Senior Airman Taylor Curry
8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
9/12/2014 - KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Airmen from the 8th
Logistics Readiness Squadron loaded cargo onto 28 long-bed trucks Sept. 7 to 10 at
Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, to transport to Osan Air Base in support of 8th
Fighter Wing flying operations while the runway undergoes construction here.
The purpose of the closure is to repair the runway after its many years of use,
providing the Wolf Pack the capability to continue defending the base.

VEMSO Selected for

Green Fleet Award!
http://
the100bestfleets.com/
gf_winners_2014.htm

The LRS Airmen started bright and early each day, working long shifts in the high
humidity to ensure completion of the relocation. They even had a helping hand from
other units on base to include the 8th Civil Engineer Squadron, 8th Security Forces
Squadron, and units from the U.S. Army.
Throughout the day, cargo specialists loaded the trucks with equipment maintainers
will use to operate at Osan to keep the jets in the air. More than 300 maintainers will
temporarily relocate.
Continued

Disclaimer: Truckin On is an unofficial newsletter published every month in the interest of serving Air Force active duty, civilian and retired vehicle operations and
maintenance personnel. Articles submitted by its contributors are not to be considered official statements by the U.S. Air Force.

1 Nov 2014
Continued from PG 1

8 LRS keeps the Pack moving.

"After our guys load everything, our drivers make the journey at
night to Osan in order to avoid traffic during the Korean holiday
and make this transfer timely," said Capt. Jennifer Palko, 8 LRS
deployment distribution flight commander. "Everyone on this
operation is pumped and excited to be here and I'm enjoying
seeing the passion these Airmen have in their job."
This isn't just a job they can do behind a desk; they are out
there sweating and putting in physical labor, so that rewarding
feeling at the end when their shift is over is something they all
take great value in, Palko said.

"It's really all about being able to take the fight north, wherever
we work out of--be it Kunsan or Osan," said Palko.
Senior Airman Mariana Hernandez-Chavez, 8 LRS forklift
operator, was one of the workers putting in many hours.
"We are part of the mission support group, so supporting the
mission is what we do," said Hernandez-Chavez. "We are the
middle man and if it wasn't for our crew loading and transporting
the equipment, the 35th Fighter Squadron wouldn't be able to
continue the mission at Osan."

Airman 1st Class Ian Acorn, 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle
operator, straps cargo onto a long-bed truck at Kunsan Air Base, Republic
of Korea, Sept. 9, 2014. The equipment is being sent to Osan AB to support
8th Fighter Wing flying operations while the runway at Kunsan undergoes
construction. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Taylor Curry/
Released)

Loading cargo onto vehicles can be a dangerous job. All safety

measures must be taken to prevent any safety incidents or
mishaps.
"Preventing a mishap is what I'm always looking out for," said
Senior Airman William Smith, 8 LRS traffic management
journeyman. "It's important that I ensure all cargo is being
spotted onto the trucks so there are no damages to the
equipment, and more importantly, that no one is injured."
Smith said he enjoys getting out of the office and performing the
physical labor side of the job. It has also given him a chance to
form a tighter bond with his team.
"I wake up every morning looking forward to the camaraderie
out here," said Smith. "Being at Kunsan has been the best
assignment I've had so far."
Airmen from the 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron load cargo onto a
long-bed truck at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 9, 2014. The
equipment is being sent to Osan AB to support 8th Fighter Wing flying
operations while the runway at Kunsan undergoes construction. (U.S. Air
Force photo by Senior Airman Taylor Curry/Released)

Editors Note: Limited space would not permit publishing

all photos from this article. Additional photos can be viewed at:
http://www.kunsan.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123424488
2

1 Nov 2014

WAC legacy honored as 108-year-old vet Lucy Though Coffey who was part of the Womens Army Corps
during World War II did not walk and cannot speak much,
Coffey fulfills her dream
she was actively engaging with the people around her.
Visit to Washington, D.C., includes meeting with Obama
and Biden
At 108, think of all she has seen. And now she has seen
everything that was built for her, Bergeron said. The World
War II Memorial representing the 400,000 killed and the 16
million that served and this beautiful Womens Memorial that
was built in her honor.
Coffey enlisted in 1943, around the time of her 37th birthday.
She had tried to enlist several times before, but was rejected for
being too short or too slim.

Click image to activate video

By Meredith Tibbetts
Stars and Stripes

She earned two Bronze Stars (for support services in the

Philippines and what is now Dutch New Guinea), a WAC
Service Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and a World War II
Victory Medal. Coffey, whose last rank was staff sergeant, was
one of 150,000 women who served as WACs during the war.

WAC members were the first women besides nurses to serve in

the U.S. Army. Coffey served mainly in the Pacific theater, going
Editors Comments: Last year in November we featured to Australia and Dutch New Guinea before finally arriving in the
Richard Overton as the oldest living WWII veteran; he was 107 Philippines in April 1945. Her last stop was Okinawa, Japan.
years old at the time and turned 108 on May 11, 2014.
While in the Army, she worked as an accountant-statistician and
This year were pleased to pay tribute to our countrys oldest served in the procurement office.
female veteran, Lucy Coffey, who also celebrated her 108th
Two of Lucys brothers also joined the service in World War II,
birthday just three days later on May 14, 2014.
John Mulrey, Coffeys nephew, said. They both served in the
This story has been in the news and all over the Internet at Pacific theater in Philippines and Guam.
various websites, but I chose the Stars and Stripes account
All three of them ended up in the Pacific at the same time.
because the photo gallery on their website is outstanding.
Please see the following website: http://www.stripes.com/news/ We could have sworn they made a connection one time ... but
her brothers were actually in the infantry and a day ahead,
us/wac-legacy-honored-as-108-year-old-vet-lucy-coffey-fulfillsMulrey said.
her-dream-1.295422
Published: August 1, 2014

WASHINGTON Lucy Coffey dreamed of going to the Women That meant Coffeys brothers were usually out of the area by the
in Military Service for America Memorial in Arlington, Va. Last time she arrived. One time, however, Coffeys group was much
closer to the fighting than they had intended, which she
weekend she got her wish and then some.
described as pretty terrifying.
Coffey, 108 and the nations oldest living female military veteran, was greeted with thunderous applause July 25 at Reagan Food and water were sometimes scarce for Coffey and her
National Airport and was welcomed to the White House by fellow WACs. On at least one occasion, Navy boys gave her
onion sandwiches and beer. In New Guinea, each WAC
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
member was given two helmets of water for personal use during
Shes waited over 65 years to see her memorial. ... Not too
periods of water shortages.
often we get to bring a veteran to the White House to meet the
president and the vice president. They spent some time with her
and thanked her for her service, Allen Bergeron, chairman of
the Austin Honor Flight, said.

Continued
3

1 Nov 2014
Though Coffey dreamed of going back to Japan, she never did.
WAC legacy honored as 108-year-old vet Lucy But she was able to go to the Women in Military Service for
America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery on July 26.
Coffey fulfills her dream
She smiled at the old uniforms on display and listened intently to
Visit to Washington, D.C., includes meeting with Obama the president of the womens memorial, Ret. USAF Brig. Gen.
and Biden
Wilma L. Vaught, explain different exhibits as she was wheeled
around the memorial.
Continued from PG 3

Earlier in the day, Coffey visited the National World War II

Memorial, where she met former Senate Majority Leader Bob
Dole (R-Kansas) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas).
American Airlines provided a free, first-class trip for Coffey. The
Austin Honor Flight team took care of the rest, spending about
two weeks pulling everything together.
This, I think, has made her feel so proud. ... and I think it has
awoken a spirit that she buried a long time ago, John Mulrey
said. It is the ultimate memory for Lucy.

Lucy Coffey, the oldest living female veteran at the age of 108, does a
little dance at the Women's Memorial in Virginia on July 26, 2014.

John Mulrey, a Vietnam veteran, accompanied his aunt from

San Antonio, Texas, on the trip to Washington, D.C., with his
wife JoAnn. He joined the military because he thought it was
better to join than be drafted and because he wanted to serve
his country. I guess (being in the military) just runs in the
family, he said.
Coffey was honorably discharged in November 1945, but stayed
in Japan as a civil servant for about 10 years. She later
transferred to Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio where she
worked until her retirement in 1971.
She is very, very shy about her time in the service. She doesnt
talk about it much, Mulrey said. She just did what she had to
do. Shes just very humble, his wife said.
4

1 Nov 2014
Editors Comments: Retiring from the Air Force is a
milestone in our lives. After wearing a uniform for 2030
years and reaching the top of our profession, were suddenly
thrust back into the job market. Many of us continue our
careers as contractors or federal employees, which is fine.
However, theres an alternative. Several of our Truckin On
members have elected to pursue their post-Air Force careers
in the public sector managing city or county fleets.
I visited Gary McLeans shop in Lakeland, FL and Greg
Morriss facilities in Sarasota County, FL and it occurred to me
after seeing both of these operations that the transition from
Air Force vehicle management to the public sector, whether at
city or county level, is a natural progression. The shops, skills,
and processes are very similar to those in the Air Force.
Dan Berlenbach is a co-publisher / editor of Truckin On. He
also elected the public sector as his second career and
manages a vehicle fleet in Long Beach, CA. We thought it
would be valuable to anyone retiring from Air Force vehicle
management to have them share their experiences.

My point in talking about my AF upbringing is that it prepared

me for my second career, which has been in municipal (City)
fleet operations, three different cities now, since I retired from
the Air Force.
Just as my AF training and experience prepared me for my
second career, I am confident yours has done for you. And I
believe that holds true, no matter whether youre the 30-year
Chief or the 4-year mechanic. As they say, military experience
is valued on the outside, because of the training we receive and
what it makes us intomotivated, trustworthy, team player
types who can be relied on to get the job done. More
specifically, an Air Force vehicle maintainer or operator has
gained big fleet experience that ranks among the best business
practices anywhere. I have come to learn, after exposure to
many fleets outside the AF, that the way we learn to maintain
and manage vehicle fleets (despite what you may think while
still in the AF), is equal to or better than most government fleets
around the U.S.

Life after the Air Force one 2T3s story

by Dan Berlenbach, CMSgt (Ret/2T3)
In 2003 I faced the usual trepidation people face when leaving
the security of the Air Force after a long career. After all, with
29 years on active duty, the AF was more than half my life and
all that I really knew how to do. That time comes for all of us,
and I was not looking forward to it.
Just like most chiefs and senior enlisted, I had served in many
places, run many shops, done staff work, been trained and educated, and pretty much knew what was expected of me and how
to deliver it. In short, I was comfortable!
As you all know, the Air Force moves you around for its own
needs, and if you work the system a bit, you can get some
decent assignments along the way. My career was no
exception, and I was blessed with great locations, challenging
jobs, and superb people to work with. I was a career vehicle
maintainer, starting out as a heavy junk mechanic way back in
1975.

Yes, you should get your CCAF at a minimum, and if you are
more senior, definitely a four-year degree, preferably in
business administration if you intend to get into fleet management on the outside.

But the experience youve gained in your varied assignments,

the NCO and SNCO academies, the Vehicle Management
A few Red Horse assignments helped me hone my wrenching
Advanced Course at Port Hueneme, all those have equipped
skills and more than that, an ability to improvise and deliver
you to step right into fleet management on the outside.
service in the field. Staff jobs and larger transportation shop
assignments helped me round out my skills in management and So, to sum up the topic of preparation for a second government
leadership. I tell you all this because I was not uniqueI was a (city, county, etc.) career in fleet management, in my
product of the system (with some great breaks along the way to assessment, the Air Force has prepared you well. Better than
you think, trust me.
be sure) as I believe most of you reading this are also.
Continued

1 Nov 2014
Continued from PG 5

Life after the Air Force one 2T3s story

When I got to my first post-AF job (Fleet Manager at the City of
Oxnard, CA), I would commonly bring up ideas of change,
based on how we did it in the Air Force. My co-workers there
would ask me wow, where did you learn that? or how did you
come up with that? I wanted to say dont all fleets run that
way? (the way we learned in the AF), but had discovered, that,
in fact they do not.
In the AF we had the huge advantage of all being trained pretty
much the same way of how to run a fleet, how to analyze, we
had the same budgeting, procurement, parts, and fleet
management systems. Until you see all the different variations
out there in the civilian world, you dont realize how well the AF
does fleet management. You take for granted direct labor, turn
times, VDP (is it NMCS now?), and so forth. All the regulations
and manuals you cursed actually serve a great purpose in
keeping everyone doing it the most efficient way (in general)
and those are totally missing on the outside. You may well find
yourself having to develop them from scratch even.
So theyve prepared you well, better than you knew, and youll
find the transition is not all that hard. Certainly, it is not hard in
the aspect of managing the fleet. Now, budgeting and finances
can be small challenges, because they are different, but not
hugely so. The biggest difficulty in transition for me was the
quality of the people and having to earn my credibility (since I
wasnt wearing it on my sleeves anymore). It is true that youll
miss GIs, the mission driven focus, the sense of urgency, the
camaraderie, the discipline. But unless you go into civil service,
youre pretty much going to miss those things wherever you end
up after the Air Force.

I strongly recommend public service fleets such as city, county,

special district, state, etc. In the AF you have no visibility of
these, but every city has their own fleet, and depending on size,
a fleet manager, supervisors, technicians, analysts, and so
forth. The fleets are like a base fleet, with a mix of small trucks,
off-road equipment, police and fire, and sometimes refuse. As a
city fleet manager you are in charge of the whole fleet operation,
and that includes specifying new vehicles and procuring them,
maintenance, disposition, fueling, parts, and more. Depending
on the size of the operation you may do the analysis and the
procurement yourself.
So whats it like? Its great! I am in my third fleet manager job
after AF retirement. I originally landed in Oxnard, then went to
Phoenix AZ, and just recently moved back to California, in Long
Beach.
You dont have to move around like that, for us there were reasons each time that made sense, but I believe we are settled
now for good. There is still good pay and decent retirement
systems in the public sector, with a second retirement a strong
possibility. In all three positions my boss gave me considerable
autonomy and I was able to leave it better than it was. Theres
room for lots of innovation and thinking outside the box if youre
the manager. If youre a technician, the good benefits are there
and youre not working flat rate and youll likely have decent
hours too.
I am happy that I went this direction, though Ill admit I still miss
the AF and being around GIs. But there are good people here
too, and there is value in continuing to serve, though at a
different level. In the end, fleet is fleet, wherever you do
it. Youll find the AF has prepared you well; the fleet skills you
learned transfer very easily and it will be a piece of cake. Look
for the jobs we advertise on Truckin On and good luck!
Continued
6

1 Nov 2014

Life on the other side local government We had a fuel station, but no real control or responsibility for
that fuel except for data reporting. Some of those things may
employment
by: Gary McLean, Fleet Manager, City of Lakeland, Florida
As a municipal fleet manager, I went from the Air Force
headquarters world to a medium-size city with a
small-to-medium size, mostly commercial light and medium duty
fleet. After four years I transitioned to a medium-size city with a
medium-to-large, extremely diverse fleet consisting of just about
anything you can think of. Now, the Air Force prepares 2T3XX
folks pretty well to excel in the outside world once we grow up,
but the pitfalls are out there.
I was out in Sarasota County, Florida a couple of months ago
with our valiant Truckin On publisher and also with a fellow
former Air Force 2T3XX and current Sarasota County Fleet
Director, CMSgt (Ret) Greg Morris. Our mission was what we
call the old dog and pony show and then a nice, long lunch
consistent with what war heroes like us deserve from time to
time. During that lunch, the conversations between Greg and
me sparked our publisher to ask for some newsletter material
about getting into the public sector as fleet managers,
supervisors, etc. Ive thrown a couple of articles out there in the
past, but this time the boss is looking for a team effort, so Im
going to talk about municipal (city) jobs, and Greg will follow up
later with his insights about county fleets and their nuances.
Greg actually has run a municipal fleet as well as Air Force and
county organizations, so he may trump me with his effort.

have changed since my retirement from the military in 2005, but

the fact is city fleet managers are ultimately responsible for
actually planning, executing, and managing their budgets on a
daily basis, from payroll to internal service charges to capital
equipment purchases to facility maintenance to parts, tires,
rags, etc. We manage our own fuel programs and buy our own
fuel, whether we have our own station or if we use outside
stations and management programs. We establish vehicle
replacement cycles, specifications, and then go out and buy our
vehicles ourselves. We dispose of vehicles using whatever
remarketing solutions are best for the organization. A city fleet
manager is a pizza roll combination of maintenance, operations,
fuels, supply, and finance managers. Sounds like a lot of work,
but believe it or not, its awesome!

Getting Ready. If youve made it to the management tier,

especially in vehicle maintenance, youve done 90% of the prep
work you need already. To be honest, I feel stronger because I
came from the shop floor through shop supervisor to superintendent to manager, so I relate well to all aspects of the actual shop
operation. Where I was weak from the start was on building
vehicle specification, some back shop support operations, and
fuel operations. My saviors were benchmarking, reaching out to
other fleet managers, and believe it or not, trade publications.
Most vehicle trade publications provide free subscriptions, and
Government Fleet Magazine is a great place to start. This
A City is a Base. Every city can be compared to various magazine is a great resource to see whats going on in cities
different bases with their varying layouts. Some encompass and counties.
vehicle support for every aspect of a citys operation, some do As far as budget management goes, its important to remember
not. In the case of my first city in New Mexico, we mainly the basics of accounting and watch your checkbook as one of
worked on blue fleet light and medium duty vehicles, with also my fellow division manager buddies is always saying. Some
a pretty good sized police fleet and fire department to take care folks in the AF had some heavy budgetary involvement past just
of. In my current job, we buy, maintain, fuel, and dispose of seeing the numbers and letting somebody else worry about it,
light, medium, heavy, construction, utilities, police, fire, refuse, and those folks are going to be in good shape for that exposure.
parks, you name it vehicles. The fleet is valued at over $60M,
Budget-wise, vehicle replacement programs can go in several
and guess whos in charge of it all? The fleet manager, and the
directions and in my two city jobs I was exposed to two
same is true at most cities. The best thing to do as an AF
diametrically opposing situations. The method I was relegated
vehicle type coming out to look for local government jobs is to
to at my first city job was referred to as an appropriation budget.
figure out which layout fits you best, and especially what you
This method put the fleet at the mercy of the city council they
want to tackle in the first place.
doled out what they thought the fleet needed for adequate
The Job Responsibility Learning Curve. As an Air Force replacements.
vehicle maintenance manager, I considered myself the vehicle
The City Manager weighed in to represent the fleet as well as
expert when I dropped into the private sector. I soon found out
possible, but obviously, politics and competing priorities ensured
just how wrong I was. My experience in the AF was that we had
the appropriation was usually inadequate, so the fleet
a maintenance budget, but somebody else really controlled it.
managers challenge was to make darn sure the vehicles that
We had a vehicle buy program, but almost no real control over
needed to be replaced the most actually were the ones that got
the purchasing of those vehicles.
replaced.
Continued
7

1 Nov 2014
Continued from PG 7

Life on the other side local government Even at the technician level, theres usually room for moving up
to supervisory levels, and as long as folks maintain their ASE
employment
In my current position, Im currently in what most municipal fleet
manager would consider Heaven, managing a revolving
depreciation replacement fund, completely fenced off and
lock-boxed from siphoning attempts. Being fully funded is great,
but the challenge in managing this type of fund is ensuring the
data is accurate, to the point of daily maintenance of the fund.
Whatever type of process is at your city of choice, strong
financial ability is important.

certifications and present the kind of resume that Air Force folks
usually can, they will be strong candidates for local government
jobs.
And a final tip for those folks that are looking for this kind of
opportunity? Make sure they know about Truckin On and the
mailing list, local government job advertisements are sent out at
least weekly by the publisher and they come from all over the
country.

A Word About First and Second-Termers Seeking the

Public Sector. Ive hired several former military technicians in
my tenure here, and we had two at my last city job. Former
military employees are desirable due to their training, their
experience, and their ability to work well with others.
Additionally, most local governments assign a veterans
calculation to applicants to give them an advantage so for those
younger AF vehicle folks that are leaving for civilian life, take a
look at local government fleets if theyre going to stay in the
vehicle world.

I expect to see more of our Air Force brothers and sisters

managing local government fleets in the near future. We are
formidable candidates for these types of jobs, and I know that
Im rapidly becoming surrounded by former military just here in
central Florida, so be advised that the takeover is in full swing.

DARPA - Ground X-Vehicle Technology (GXV-T)

Agility Combat Simulation

High Energy
(HEL MD)

Submitted by Dan Berlenbach, CMSgt (Ret/2T3)

Submitted by Tom Kingsbury, CMSgt (Ret/2T3)

Use your network, get in contact with the former military

managers that are highly likely to be established already in your
region, theyll give you the score and lend a helping hand
whenever asked. Come see us here in Florida!

Laser

Mobile

Demonstrator

GXV-T envisions future armored ground vehicles that could

sprint, dodge and shield their way out of danger. One of the
key goals of DARPA's Ground X-Vehicle Technology (GXV-T)
program is improving the survivability of ground-based armored
fighting vehicles by increasing vehicle agility.

Boeing is building a laser cannon for the U.S. Army, and the
new weapon has now proved it will be as capable at sea as on
land. The High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator (HEL MD)
basically a high-energy laser mounted on top of a big truck
was successfully used to blast some UAV drones and 60mm
See website for additional info: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ mortars out of the Florida sky earlier this year, Boeing
announced.
news/checkpoint/wp/2014/10/09/videos-driving-thepentagons-high-tech-vehicle-of-the-future/
Note: Click images to activate videos
8

SAC IGINBOUND!
1 Nov 2014

PANIC TIME!
by Roger Robertson, CMSgt (Ret/2T1)

The Chief Dispatcher tells the OMS VCO she can't support
EWO vehicle requirements and the IG team. The inspector is
informed of this and provides an Obligation Authority to rent
additional vehicles. Now we need to talk to Contracting and
prepare a Form 9. The phones are all ringing. More recall
vehicles arrive. More vehicles are delivered across the base to
the inspectors. Fast Ride vehicles need to be delivered and
crew buses are due. Dispatch operators to pick up rental
vehicles. Finally things begin to slow down. Not all the phones
are ringing now.

This is a "fictional situation" that could take place at any SAC

base on any given day. It could happen to you and soon. Hot
Line rings, "This is the Command Post! The SAC IG is 30
minutes out! Implement OPlan 509-82, Wing Reception Plan,
Annex E. The dispatcher on duty PANICS! Why me, one more
hour and the day shift would have been here. The dispatcher
finally recovers and grabs the reception plan. Five vehicles
required, and only three operators available.
Strength Report due. Everyone present for duty or accounted
Get help from the dorm or deliver two sedans, return and take for. A + 2 hours and IG vehicle requirements have been met.
the two buses and baggage truck. The first important step is Time to think about 12-hour shifts. Release the night shift to get
taken. The Wing and Transportation are off to a good start. The some sleep. The IG has in briefed and performed a walk-thru
IG lands and the ORI is initiated. The work-load on Dispatch housekeeping and safety inspection. The hurricane is over.
Office is now overwhelming. The 440 War Support Plan (WSP) Time to regroup and prepare for Disaster Preparedness,
has kicked off a personnel and vehicle recall. Above all, "follow Alternate Recovery Base, mobility, terrorist activity, shelter
the checklist."
exercise, etc., A + 4 hours, vehicle requirements strain available
Start the pyramid alert. Telephone the Vehicle Control Officers assets, but with rental vehicles we'll make it. It's a relief, actually
(VCO) for recall vehicles. Start a sign-in roster. All phones are a relief now that the IG has arrived, because for the last six
ringing off the hook. The transportation inspectors arrive with a months all we've heard is "we're hot for the IG." We've practiced
slight grin on their faces. They hand the superintendent a list of and practiced until we're very proficient in IG reception. All
42 vehicles required. Recall vehicles are beginning to arrive. Set dispatchers had received initial and semiannual training on
up a team to inspect the recalls as they come in. All the phones implementation plans so they know what to do. Now, if we have
are still ringing. Assign someone to put reception packages in effectively used the self-inspection program, IG cross feeds and
each vehicle and to check for spare tire, jack, lug wrench, wheel staff assistance visit reports, we should breeze through the ORI
chocks, wipe rag and ice scraper if necessary. Are the vehicles and MEI.
clean, fully serviced and the Operator Inspection Guide and
Trouble Report signed off?
Base security personnel are at the window wanting additional
vehicles.. It's time to start delivering vehicles to the IG team.
Need more operators. Get someone to put inspection team
placards in the windows of IG team vehicles. Need someone to
shuttle operators back to Vehicle Ops after dropping off
vehicles. The Organizational Maintenance Squadron (OMS)
wants their Emergency War Order (EWO) vehicles, Civil
Engineering Squadron (CES) cannot provide all required recall
vehicles.
Airman Indra, on the night shift, wants to know when he will get
off. No one has had breakfast; 35 people on meal cards.
Sergeant Henpeck's wife needs the car right now! There are no
brake lights on a recalled station wagon. The IG needs a good,
sharp operator for the work center. The Orderly Room wants a
Strength Report.

Editors Comments: Having had four assignments in SAC,

the fictional scenario played out in Chief (Ret) Robertsons
PANIC TIME is all too real for me and many others. Stories
like this are legendary among SAC veterans. One such
account of a SAC Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) is
documented by Chris Adams in his 1999 book, Inside the
Cold War A Cold Warriors Reflections. The following
paragraph is an excerpt from the book.
The most dreaded announcement within a SAC wing was, The
IG has landed! The SAC Inspector General (IG) and his team
of 40 to 60 inspectors would suddenly appear out of nowhere
in his KC-135 tanker-transport and be on final approach to the
base before anyone knew it. The speculation about when he
would be coming almost became a lottery event, which the IG
Team usually won sometimes by arriving in the dead hours
of the night to catch the unit unaware.

Eglins Corrosion Control Program

Breathes New Life Into Vehicle Fleet
1 Nov 2014

Flight gives face-lift to Eglin's vehicle fleet

by Lois Walsh, Eglin Air Force Base Public Affairs /
Published August 25, 2014

"We are able to avoid spending hundreds of dollars replacing

parts such as engine hoods just by repairing and monitoring
corrosion."

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- Keeping the Air

Force's third largest vehicle fleet looking good is not an easy
task, but efforts by the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron's
Vehicle Management Flight make it happen.

Vehicle size matters when the flight has to determine how to get
the work done most efficiently. Vehicle management uses their
in-house body shop for large items like buses, fire trucks and
10-ton tractors. They contract out other vehicles and equipment
to local vendors and one on-base government contractor.
"We find out who can handle the vehicle, get a price and then
get the best paint job for our money," Pinkley said.
One person who can handle the job is painter Henry Isaacs. He
spent 20 years in the Air Force doing what he calls "allied
trade," anything on a vehicle, bumper to bumper. Now, he does
the body work needed before a paint job brings the vehicle back
to life. Repainting a vehicle the size of a bus can take 15 days to
prep and paint. It's not unusual to see ambulances, fork lifts and
security forces vehicles parked outside their warehouse.
"We determine whether to spot paint or do a complete paint
job," Isaacs said. "There has to be enough value and years left
on the vehicle to extend its life."

Henry Isaacs prepares to paint the roof of a truck Aug. 20, 2014, at Eglin
Air Force Base, Fla. Repainting vehicle parts affected by the sun and
weather is part of 96th Logistics Readiness Squadrons corrosion control
program. A three-person team is responsible for restoring and extending
the lives of Eglin AFBs vehicle fleet. Approximately 50 vehicles per year
are painted by the team. Isaacs is assigned to the 96th LRS. (U.S. Air
Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Vehicle maintenance is able to maintain the fleet for less than

one percent of the $140 million fleet value, partly due to
corrosion control, Adeji-Paul said.

Corrosion control is a priority for the flight, a challenge in

northwest Florida. According to Karen Pinkley, the flight's heavy
mobile equipment mechanic inspector, salt water and hot sun
cause the paint to deteriorate. The deterioration is considered
routine wear and tear on vehicles, most of which is noted during
scheduled maintenance. "We spot it and open a work order for
corrosion control," Pinkley said. "New vehicles automatically get
new bed liners to protect them."
A budget of approximately $60,000 only goes so far, so older
vehicles get their life extended by just painting the parts that
need it, while newer vehicles get complete paint jobs when
Henry Isaacs prepares to paint the roof of a truck Aug. 20, 2014, at Eglin
warranted. Approximately half of the nearly 100 vehicles waiting Air Force Base, Fla. Repainting vehicle parts affected by the sun and
to get painted will be completed fiscal year 2014.
weather is part of 96th Logistics Readiness Squadrons corrosion control
program. A three-person team is responsible for restoring and extending

"Corrosion control has a direct benefit because of the money it the lives of Eglin AFBs vehicle fleet. Approximately 50 vehicles per year
saves by avoiding unnecessary expenses like replacing a are painted by the team. Isaacs is assigned to the 96th LRS. (U.S. Air
vehicle," said 1st Lt. P.J. Adeji-Paul, the vehicle management Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
flight commander.

Continued
10

Eglins Corrosion Control Program

Breathes New Life Into Vehicle Fleet
1 Nov 2014
Continued from PG 10

Flight gives face-lift to Eglin's vehicle fleet

"If a unit loses their vehicle as a result of corrosion, it would
need to go through the procurement process to replace it, a
process that can take up to three years not to mention the cost
of purchasing the new vehicle," he said.
The number of vehicles waiting to be painted is not intimidating
to Isaacs who calls the work he does his "dream job."
"I love this job," he said. "I enjoy making ugly things beautiful
again."
Editors Note: This article can also be viewed at the Henry Isaacs prepares to paint the roof of a truck Aug. 20, 2014, at Eglin
Air Force Base, Fla. Repainting vehicle parts affected by the sun and
following website:
weather is part of 96th Logistics Readiness Squadrons corrosion control
http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/494657/
flight-gives-face-lift-to-eglins-vehicle-fleet.aspx

program. A three-person team is responsible for restoring and extending

the lives of Eglin AFBs vehicle fleet. Approximately 50 vehicles per year
are painted by the team. Isaacs is assigned to the 96th LRS. (U.S. Air
Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

2014 Innovation Report: How Automakers are

Driving Innovation
Submitted by Roger Storman, SMSgt (Ret/2T3)

Stewart-Haas Racing Wins with Rytec Doors

http://www.autoalliance.org/index.cfm?objectid=7F4002C0-A43C-11E1B5BF000C296BA163

Submitted by Reade Holzbaur, WS-12 (Ret/2T3)

The Top Nine New Automotive Technologies of

2014

5 Free Apps to Save You Money on Gas

Submitted by Roger Storman, SMSgt (Ret/2T3)

http://www.autonet.ca/en/2013/11/05/the-top-nine-new-automotivetechnologies-of-2014

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azzmxHgZCu8&authuser=0

Submitted by Roger Storman, SMSgt (Ret/2T3)

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/fuel-economy/5-free-apps
-to-save-you-money-on-gas#slide-1

11

HMMWV UPGRADE
1 Nov 2014

Northrop Grumman
Chassis to Army

Pitching

New

by Valerie Insinna / National Defense Magazine

Humvee What we're talking about doing is, through a depot operation,

rolling the Humvee into the depot, removing the six attachment
bolts and the electrical connections, lifting the body of the
Humvee off, rolling the old chassis out and rolling the brand new
chassis in, he said. The chassis would include a new power
train, transmission and transfer case. Northrop plans on
releasing more information about its upgrade plan at the
Association of the U.S. Army annual meeting and exposition
next week, Schmidt said.
A new Humvee chassis is just one of the upgrades the company
is pitching to the service. With Army budgets downsizing and
little money available for new-start programs, Northrop
Grummans is pinning its hopes on modernizing the services
land and aviation systems, officials said.

The companys strategy is to offer mature technologies that can

be rapidly installed at low cost, said Jeffrey Palombo, vice
president and general manager for its land and self protection
systems division. It is also focusing on keeping upgraded
Northrop Grumman has designed a new Humvee chassis that
systems within the same size, weight and power requirements
would restore the vehicles original mobility and payload
as the legacy ones.
capabilities while maintaining its current level of protection, a
It can be just as expensive to install a new capabilty as it is to
company executive announced Oct. 7.
buy the equipment itself, he said. If the engineering or
The service has not signed on those upgrades yet, but Northrop
installation involved with a weapons system is too pricey, the
executives hope that its performance in testing will convince the
military will not buy into the program. The design of the
Army to invest in the new chassis, said Greg Schmidt, vice
upgrade, that new capability, how it gets integrated in the
president and general manager for Northrop Grumman
platform is just as important as the capability itself, he said.
Technical Services mission solutions and readiness division.
One area ripe for modernization is electric warfare systems,
The threat of improvised explosive devices and roadside bombs Palombo said.
during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan prompted the Army to
Over the past seven years, there hasnt been a tremendous
outfit its fleet with heavy, but protective, armor. What this did is
amount of investment by the Department of Defense, or indeed
it greatly degraded or limited the capabilities of the Humvee,
globally, in the area of electronic warfare, he said. With not
including decreased fuel economy and mobility, he told
having that kind of investment from the various governments
journalists at a news conference in Washington, D.C. That, in
and industry over a period of time, you have to start to question
turn, resulted in a longer logistical tail, including more fuel
the relevance and the survivability of the platforms that we do
tankers and larger convoys, Schmidt said. You can see where
have out there.
this really becomes a spiral.
Electronic warfare threats grow quickly and inexpensively, he
The company has already installed the new chassis on four
said. We have a heck of a lot of catching up to do, he said.
vehicles through a cooperative agreement with the Army, two of
Northrop is pitching its AN/APR-39D(V)2 radar warning receiver
which have been delivered to the service for trials, he
to replace the legacy APR-39 receivers, which have been
said. Northrop is putting the other two vehicles through
installed on almost every Army, Air Force and Marine Corps
endurance testing at sites in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada.
airplane or helicopter, Palombo said. The new digital AN/APRThe new chassis enables the vehicle to accelerate to 66 miles 39D(V)2 can fit into the same space as older receivers, he said.
per hour in 22 seconds and increases gas mileage to 18 miles The four antennas on the outside of the aircraft can be installed
per gallon, he said. Northrop is working with automobile without having to redo the cabling, bracket or location of the
component manufacturer Meritor Corp. and Pratt & Miller antenna. The platform can also be outfitted with an additional
Engineering. Cummins is supplying the engine.
communications card or radar jamming capability, he said.
12