Vehicle Management Flight improved through innovation

Photo By Staff Sgt. Dawn Weber | U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Colin Coogan, 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintenance journeyman, performs, an inspection on a tire at Spangdadhlem Air Base, Germany, Aug. 7, 2019. Vehicle Management Flight mechanics perform tasks such as oil changes and completing engine repairs on all government vehicles assigned to the 52nd Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dawn M. Weber)  

SPANGDAHLEM, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, GERMANY

08.16.2019

Story by Senior Airman Dawn Weber 

52nd Fighter Wing

Whether it’s fixing brakes, replacing water pumps, steering and suspension or tires and gaskets, the Airmen of the 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Management Flight are trained and prepared to keep the 52nd Fighter Wing mission rolling.

The Airmen of the VMF service a fleet of more than 900 government vehicles assigned to the wing and its geographically separated units.

“Basically, anything with wheels and an engine we maintain,” said U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Keegan Chapin-Tovey, 52nd LRS general purpose vehicle management section chief.

Using money from Innovation Madness, the VMF was able to renovate and re-open their Customer Service Center in building 110; merging the Fleet Management and Analysis section along with the vehicle mechanics.

“Now when a customer turns in a vehicle we’re able to process it faster, track the data more accurately and return the vehicle to service faster,” said Chapin-Tovey.

The Customer Service Center is responsible for completing quality checks on vehicles due for routine maintenance or vehicles turned in for certain issues. Quality checks inspect every aspect of the vehicle to include brakes, engine, and leaks. Once QCs are completed the VFA section creates a work order and processes it, then turning it over to the mechanics for maintenance.

“Being able to reduce the vehicle down time has been the biggest benefit of merging the two sections,” said Chapin-Tovey. “Communication has improved significantly, before we had three separate sections, now they’re all in one place. There’s no more wasted time for the customer. Everything is streamlined, the customer can come to one place for drop off and pick up. It’s a lot more efficient.”

• Date Taken: 08.16.2019
• Date Posted: 08.16.2019 07:59
• Story ID: 336160
• Location: SPANGDAHLEM, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, DE