MacDill’s 6th LRS Vehicle Operations relocates

Photo By Staff Sgt. Scott Warner | U.S Air Force Airmen assigned to the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Operations team, paused for a photo at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, June 21, 2018. The 6th LRS Vehicle Operations team consolidated multiple locations (building #175 and building #3175) into their new facility at building #52 to better serve MacDill’s operational needs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Scott Warner)  

TAMPA, FL, UNITED STATES

06.21.2018

Story by Airman 1st Class Scott Warner 

6th Air Refueling Wing

For almost 16 years, the 6th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 927th Air Refueling Wing Vehicle Operations teams operated out of multiple buildings due to a lack of space and availability.
As of June 20, both teams have relocated to a new building, which was designed as a permanent solution to accommodate everyone.
“The best part of this move is that we are all in one building now,” said Master Sgt. Joshua Lenz, the vehicle operations section chief assigned to the 6th LRS. “We had our documented cargo team, operations records and licensing team, vehicle operations control center support team, and our vehicle dispatchers separate from our equipment support team, training facility, and superintendent.”
Back in 2002, the 6th LRS Vehicle Operations team relocated to building #175 and building #3175, which at that time, wasn’t big enough to accommodate everyone and needed a rental trailer to shelter the rest of the team.
Fast forward to 2018, the trailer is no longer needed as this new move has now consolidated the entire Vehicle Operations team and with that, comes benefits to include better customer support, faster internal communication and a more collaborative work tempo.
“Our capabilities are also increasing as we are upgrading from one operational washing bay to two fully-functional washing bays with four wash stations and a new vehicle drying bay,” said Lenz.
The move comes as no surprise to anyone within Vehicle Operations because although the situation before wasn’t ideal, resiliency and flexibility are key components in the overall makeup of what makes a successful Air Force squadron.
“In addition, our cargo deployment function has also been moved from the passenger terminal location to our new facility, freeing up space for a secondary customer waiting area,” said Lenz.
On top of the new capabilities and functionality of the new facility, the Vehicle Operations team saved a lot of money as a direct result of the move.
“To rent out our trailer cost us approximately $1,800 per month,” said Staff Sgt. Omar Rivera, the NCO in-charge of equipment support assigned to the 6th LRS. “In addition to saving money from renting a trailer, our brothers and sisters at Special Operations Command Central donated five couches in excellent condition, a conference room table and custodian room shelving to save us costs on furnishing and supplies.”
SOCCENT wasn’t the only contributor as the 91st Air Refueling Squadron contributed an additional conference table and approximately 20 office chairs to the new Vehicle Operations facility.
“I was impressed that we were able to handle the demand of this move while not ceasing or shutting down operations,” said Rivera.
Although the move is finally over, the real work begins as the Vehicle Ops team is finally back together and ready to answer MacDill’s call as one unit under one roof. Although the move is finally over, the real work begins as the Vehicle Ops team is finally back together and ready to answer MacDill’s call as one unit under one roof.

• Date Taken: 06.21.2018
• Date Posted: 06.22.2018 16:30
• Story ID: 282010
• Location: TAMPA, FL, US