KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron opened the U.S. Air
Force's only operational cryogenic production plant June 16, 2017, at Kadena
Air Base, Japan.
The sole operational cryogenic production plant will
significantly impact the way that cryogenic technicians do their jobs.
“This is going to help us a lot,” said Airman 1st Class
Olavio Bisneto, 18th LRS cryogenics production technician. “With the new plant,
we’ll be self-sufficient and we can provide more material to our customers at a
vastly reduced cost to the Air Force.”
Prior to the opening of the new plant, all of the liquid
oxygen and nitrogen needed across Okinawa had to be procured through off-base
contracts.
“We would work with contractors and local organizations to
provide material,” said Master Sgt. Donald Scott, 18th LRS NCOIC of cryogenics
production. “Now we can produce more than 1,500 gallons of liquid oxygen and
more than 2,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen every day.”
Cryogenics technicians work with sub-zero temperatures to
convert oxygen and nitrogen into liquids, which can then be used by more than
30 units across Okinawa for operations ranging from maintaining oxygen supply
levels in aircraft to helping maintenance personnel ensure certain nuts and
bolts are securely fastened.
“We equip pilots and medical personnel from
every branch of service on Okinawa with the liquid oxygen or nitrogen they
need,” said Scott. “With this new plant, we’re going to be able to do our job
more efficiently and effectively at a substantially reduced price. This is
going to save the Air Force, as well as the other branches stationed in
Okinawa, hundreds of thousands of dollars every year.”