18th CMS to get new Precision Measurement Equipment Lab

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AB, Japan --  Precision is the key to mission success for one Kadena Air Base unit and that carries over to the very building they use. 

The 18th Component Maintenance Squadron Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory will get a new facility in July designed to meet their "precise" working environment. 

PMEL's responsibility is across the spectrum, impacting every agency on base that performs any kind of maintenance or mission operations support.
From neonatal scales to the pilot's targeting systems, PMEL technicians ensure equipment is operational and up to standards. 

"The new building will actually be designed specifically for PMEL," said Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey Wilson, 18th CMS Test, Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment flight chief. "We have not been certified for roughly 11 to 15 years because of the inadequacy of the old facility." 

The new facility will have a gross area of more than 2,000 square meters and will be funded by the Government of Japan, said Eishin Hiyajo, 718th Civil Engineer Squadron construction manager. 

Over the years, the new building has been modified and is up to the environmental control standards to maintain the accuracy of PMEL equipment. 

"We work with very delicate components," said Chief Wilson. "In the old building, equipment has been damaged due to humidity and power surges." 

The Air Force has spent thousands of dollars to repair the equipment. 

"Our new building will ensure the accuracies and tolerances are met in a certain set condition such as temperature, dust, vibration, electromagnetic interference, and humidity," said Airman 1st Class Eric Hall, 18th CMS PMEL apprentice. 

The new facility will be designed to eliminate former problems by maintaining an adequate environment to continue its measurement capabilities for customer's equipment. 

"We support a little over 10,000 items," said Chief Wilson. "And we deal with about 170 specific customers on a day-to-day basis." 

Our customers extend beyond Kadena, said the chief. We support other PMEL's in the Pacific Air Force, including Diego Garcia, and U.S. Navy operations. 

"We are our own biggest customers," he said. "We own and maintain roughly 800 pieces of equipment in order to work on the customers equipment." 

Whether it be flyers supporting the Global War on Terror, or the use of fiber optics for communications, "PMEL technicians ensure all of PACAF has reliable equipment to work with," said Airman Hall.