RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- The asset visibility team, or AVT, from the Air Force Civil Engineer Center’s Operations Directorate at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, recently travelled to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to conduct facility condition assessments using its new “Reach and Teach” strategy to train, calibrate and validate with base civil engineers.
The team used hands-on and over-the-shoulder methods to train base personnel on how to properly conduct facility condition assessments, making them proficient with specialized instruction and practice. During this trip, they also travelled to nearby Spangdahlem Air Base to minimize travel costs and times by assisting multiple bases on the same trip.
"The experience my team and I had with the AVT was excellent,” said Master Sgt. Sherman Armprester, the 786th Civil Engineer Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge of the requirements and optimization civil activities and management program at Ramstein.
“We learned a lot of valuable information concerning the BUILDER program data input and facility assessment. Now we are currently utilizing that knowledge to assist in validating the integrated priority listing for our geographically separated unit at Moron Air Force Base in Spain,” he said.
To check, adjust or standardize the assessment process, they compare efforts with published sustainment management system, or SMS, guidance and apply field adjustments as required. This effort ensures a standardized, process-driven approach. Moreover, the team members review the collected SMS data to ensure it is accurate. If they find anomalies, they work with the base to understand the nuances and help the base understand why the data needs to be corrected to ensure consistency across the enterprise.
“The new AVT strategy shifts focus from accomplishing facility condition assessments as a primary AFCEC business line, to training base personnel, calibrating processes and assessments done in the field, and spot-validating SMS data,” said Patrick Kelly, AVT team chief at AFCEC. “Team members instruct and walk base personnel through conducting assessments in accordance with the Asset Visibility Playbook and other guidance while sharing their experiences with them.”
“We have learned that book training is not enough to develop the skills needed for base civil engineer shops to conduct the value added benefits of facility condition assessments,” said Michael Clawson, AVT division chief at AFCEC. “By evaluating and validating condition assessments, we are able to ensure the base is receiving the value added benefit of training and that the training will be standardized from base to base.”
The team continues to look for low-cost, high-payback savings opportunities called “Just-Do-It’s” that provide substantial savings to the Air Force. These usually can be accomplished with in-house resources or by appropriate base-level contracting measures with the funding provided. “Before AFCEC provides funds to the base for these requirements, they require a base commitment to execute in a timely manner,” said Kelly.
“The AVT continues to evolve to meet the needs of the Air Force, but stays focused on implementing asset management principles supporting life cycle cost analysis and finding energy savings,” he said.
For more information on the AVT, contact the AFCEC reach back center at afcec.rbc@us.af.mil or 850-283-6995.