Spotlight!
36 LRS Vehicle Management Flight keeps Andersen AFB running
By
36th Wing Public Affairs October 27, 2022
Airman 1st Class Lauren Clevenger
36th Wing Public Affairs October 27, 2022
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Branden Formby, 36th Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Management Flight vehicle maintainer, detaches stairs off of a vehicle on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Oct. 13, 2022. The Vehicle Management Flight is a new addition to the 36 LRS which was previously manned by Invicta Defense contractors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Lauren Clevenger) ()
There are approximately 1,300 government owned vehicles assigned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, that are mission critical to five groups and 18 squadrons. One of the most difficult aspects of vehicle maintenance in Guam is the lack of supplies and parts.
“Vehicle management across the Air Force has utilized vendors within the states,'' said Master Sgt. Romon Estelle, 36th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management section chief. “Shipping is either coming by air or sea, in response, our flight’s posture is having stocks, working stocks and parts on hand to better facilitate the repairs of vehicles.”
Delivery is slow and not guaranteed to come in time, but the vehicle management flight has been trying to find solutions locally to ensure the mission runs smoothly.
“The goal is building better relationships with the vendors downtown,” said Estelle. “Vehicle management across the Air Force relies heavily on their vendors.”
In addition to finding solutions locally, this flight is a new addition to the 36 LRS as it previously was manned completely by personnel from Invicta Defense. Contractors and Airmen have been working together to repair the vehicles on base.
“We have about 24 Airmen currently, but the number is changing due to more Airmen being assigned to the shop,” said Estelle. “We also have approximately 56 personnel working here as contractors. Our goal is to slowly transition our shop into being run completely by Airmen while also working with our contracting partners to get vehicle management as a flight established.”
The vehicle management flight also has a Vehicle Control Official program, in which a VCO is the liaison between the vehicle management flight and their unit for all GOV matters. They are the conduit for receiving information and relaying their vehicle concerns.
“The base populace is a big part of vehicle maintenance and it’s important they understand where they fit into the picture,” said Glenn Watkins, 36 LRS Invicta Defense transportation manager. “Our goal is to educate them through a VCO program which contributes to a healthy vehicle fleet.”
These issues are not only being experienced in Guam but are part of an overall global supply chain issue especially in regards to auto manufacturing and parts. However, the vehicle management flight is determined to be proactive in providing safe and reliable vehicles back to Team Andersen.