New trainer maintenance flight stands up with man familiar faces

Published Oct. 6, 2010
By Susan Griggs
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Friday, the 81st Training Support Squadron stood up a new trainer maintenance and precision measurement equipment laboratory flight.

The new flight is responsible for maintaining all 81st Training Group equipment in training-ready status at all times and to manage a world class PMEL operation, according to Dennis Richardson, who leads the new flight.

The new flight of 36 government employees replaces ITT's 38 contract personnel which included supervisory positions. Mr. Richardson said most of the positions were filled with former contract personnel because of their experience since the turnover didn't include a transition phase. A few others were hired from outside Keesler, along with some who were already on Keesler's civilian payroll.

Mr. Richardson said that last December, Keesler was notified of possible cancellation of bids for the existing trainer maintenance/PMEL contract. In January, a working group was formed to build a contract-to-civilian -- C2C -- plan.

Based on the contractor's manning at the time, a cost comparison study was initiated to help the Air Force determine if conversion from contract to civil service maintenance was fiscally responsible and met the criteria established for C2C conversions. Once the green light was given, work began to create 36 position descriptions while also initiating an organizational change request.

"Since January we have worked, almost exclusively, to bring the C2C project to fruition with a 'drop-dead' date of Oct. 1," Mr. Richardson pointed out. "All persons were hired with slightly less than four days to spare. Since that time we've been feverishly busy trying to prepare the new flight, both for providing quality maintenance and PMEL functions to Keesler and other agencies and to make the flight as ready as possible for the upcoming Unit Complaince Inspection.

Flight supervision and maintenance control functions are located in Garrard Hall, with maintenance functions in Jones and Cody Hall. The PMEL facility is in Building 4435 next to the motor pool.

"The contractor provided great service for the last 10 years or so," said Lt. Col. Janet Haug, 81st TRSS commander. "This was a long, hard effort, and special thanks goes to financial management, civilian personnel and contracting for making this conversion happen."

New trainer maintenance flight stands up with many familiar faces