RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Much planning and a team effort from the 435th Fighter Training Squadron's Airmen, civilian workers and contractors made the squadron's recent move from temporary trailer housing to new quarters in Randolph Air Force Base's Hangar 6 go smoothly, squadron leaders said.
Maj. Mike Pelletier, 435th FTS executive officer, gave a lot of credit for the successful transfer of equipment, furniture, electronics and personnel to the squadron's office manager, Katrina Scott.
"Kat was the focal point," the major said. "She had the most corporate knowledge of where everything needed to be. When all was said and done, because of her efforts, the furniture arrived on time and people were able to plug their phones and computers in at our new location and everything worked right."
The bulk of the move occurred March 12, Major Pelletier explained. He said Ms. Scott saw to it that essential equipment, such as computers, phones, radios, the operations area, desk and associated equipment, the squadron's command suite and key personnel were in place in Hangar 6 by that time, when, as he said, "a whole bunch of jets were launched" on cross-country flights without losing any flying time.
Major Pelletier also gave credit to his assistant deputy of operations, Maj. Bryan France, for assembling a group of nine student pilots to have them assist in moving squadron equipment and materials to their new location.
"Starting at 6 a.m. that day, they worked their rear-ends off with smiles on their faces, doing tasks like hanging pictures on the walls after putting up strings to make sure pictures were lined up right," Major France commented.
Majors France and Pelletier also recognized the squadron's aircrew flight equipment supervisor, Mario Rios, and his three technicians, for setting up the shop's spaces and equipment--flight helmets, survival gear, testing equipment, lockers and shelving and desks, plus electronics and computers--after putting in a lot of plumbing themselves-- over the weekend following the March 12 move.
Mr. Rios gave credit to his three technicians for his shop's successful move. "These guys are awesome," he said.
Nick Alino, Air Force Center for Engineering and Environment construction project manager, said the entire move to and construction of the squadron's new quarters cost about $4 million from the full design phase to finish.
"The design phase started in early 2008 and the construction contract was awarded in February of 2009," Mr. Alino added. "About 100 contractors and subcontractors participated altogether from the design phase through the move."
He added the squadron's new quarters in Hangar 6 were about 80 years old and needed a lot of work. The roof at the lean-to portion of the new hangar quarters had to be replaced and contractors had to reinforce that portion of the building with a lot of steel backing.
"The renovated areas are pretty solid," Mr. Alino said. "If a plane hits them, it's not going to win."
"The entire infrastructure is basically new and the building is very well-insulated," he added. "Everything's very convenient here. The airplanes we fly are now straight out of the building's back door."