18th MXG program 'enhances' government dollar

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  Whether you are fixing a car, buying groceries or saving up to buy something you really want, everyone likes to save money.

A program at the 18th Maintenance Group does just that - it helps the Air Force save money. The Air Force Enhancement Program saves the Air Force money by fixing damaged equipment and returning it back into supply.

"(This program has) been in service for a long time," said Master Sgt. David Edgeworth, the 18th Maintenance Group product improvement manager. "The maintenance group has been using (techniques) like this for a long time."

Instead of buying new equipment, three Airmen, who volunteer their time and skills outside of their day-to-day jobs, fix what is damaged and return it to be used as a serviceable asset.

Two Airmen from the program, Staff Sgts. Charles Graham and Andrew Pohlman from the 18th MXG aviation, are currently working on a $7,000 DVR for an F-15 Eagle aircraft, which records what a pilot sees while he's flying.

"I believe this program is very beneficial for the Air Force," said Graham, who recently restored a throttle stick on the aircraft. "It helps save thousands of dollars."

Last year alone, the program saved the Air Force $552,000, explained Edgeworth, the program's manager.

The technicians have fixed non-destructive inspection test equipment, fuel quantity indicators, KC-135 Stratotanker landing gear lights, F-15 ejection seats, and engine testing equipment in the past year alone.

Once products are fixed and returned to supply, the value of the equipment is awarded back to the group as non-appropriated funds.

"The non-appropriated funds given to the group are to be used at the discretion of the group commander for (temporary duty assignments), employment, and tools. But making money is not our goal. Our goal is to keep the aircraft in the air and the mission going," said Edgeworth.

The program benefits the Air Force and its sister services as well. Edgeworth said his unit will look at any equipment that no longer has a warranty and decide if it can be fixed.

Customers with broken government equipment can e-mail the 18th MXG at 18MXG.pim@kadena.af.mil to see if they can fix it.