UTC centralization initiative leads to improved management practices

  • Published
  • By Mekka Parish
  • AFCEC Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Air Force Civil Engineer Center is centralizing the location of civil engineer unit type code, or UTC, kits as part of an effort to reduce the workload placed on civil engineer units at installations.

The Air Force Civil Engineer Center is halfway through managing and implementing the centralization initiative. UTCs are specialized kits of specific, itemized equipment pre-positioned on U.S. military bases for contingency use by civil engineer units during deployments.

The current centralization and reduction efforts are focused on CE operations, emergency management and fire emergency services. The overarching goals include better management and more refined purchase and sustainment of equipment.

"Things are going great," said Darrell Grissett, the AFCEC lead for the centralization efforts. "Eight of the 10 (major commands) are consolidated and running efficiently."

Execution of the UTC centralization plan began in July 2015.  One of the goals, according to emergency management officials, was to reduce the workload placed on CE units to manage UTCs stored at local installations.   Emergency management UTCs typically include response and detection equipment to protect against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats.  This equipment also includes personal protection items such as decontamination supplies capable of aiding thousands of people.

"The centralization allows Airmen to focus on their daily jobs," said Daniel Ritchings, 3E9 UTC analyst.  "Additionally, emergency managers can focus on training and their base program responsibilities."

During the centralization process, teams are also evaluating the condition of equipment on hand and developing sustainment information that will allow AFCEC to better forecast annual UTC requirements.

"By following this process, we are able to not only account for equipment, but determine the cost of sustaining it," Ritchings said.  "Expired equipment is disposed of and equipment that needs maintenance is also identified."

As part of the centralization process, all current UTC assets will be consolidated to Grissom Air Force Base, Indiana.  According to Grissett, the projected cost savings of these efforts is $19 million. 

Officials expect the initiative to be complete by the end of this fiscal year.