Photo By Airman 1st Class Luisa Dugan | U.S. Air Force Mission Enhancement Cell workstations are used to assemble 3D printed...... read more read more
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JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The U.S. Air Force was founded and shaped by a long history of innovative minds. Today, a modern example of generational ingenuity can be observed at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst’s Mission Enhancement Cell.
The MEC, formerly known as the Innovation Lab, equips different units and squadrons across the joint base with the tools needed to maximize efforts and solve common problems that may hinder mission efficiency.
“The Mission Enhancement Cell is a hub of continuous improvement and innovation for the joint base,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Andy Hewins, MEC chief of innovation. “Our priority is to extend our capabilities and relentless innovation in terms of additive manufacturing and producing solutions across all the units.”
There is an innovation process during which MEC members collaborate with different units to build a network of subject matter experts to produce solutions. The SMEs work with individual shops to understand specific problems that pose a hinderance to their mission and create solutions based on what best supports their mission.
The team uses various types of 3D printers and materials when creating products, which is a key factor in applying these solutions. However, modern warfighting is constantly evolving, meaning the MEC must stay up to date with machine certifications and experiment with new materials.
“We have a couple of materials that we’ve been testing,” said Senior Airman Ian Conners, MEC chief of technology. “One of them is a polymerized form of Kevlar. So, if you think of a bullet proof vest or something made from Kevlar, a helmet that’s made from Kevlar fibers; this can potentially let you additively manufacture any shape out of Kevlar.”
The Innovation Hub site allows innovation labs across different bases to share and access finalized projects for aircraft capabilities that propel their mission.
“It’s what networking is supposed to be used for,” said Tech. Sgt. Kevin Mack, MEC chief of operations. “This is what this space is for. Any idea that comes across the board can help.”
Traditionally, projects remained internal and were only shared within the squadron. Today, the capabilities produced through the MEC serve as an Air Force-wide breakthrough for mission support expediting timeliness, reducing cost and improving efficiency.
The MEC lives up to its name and continues to enable warfighters across the joint base. It serves as a provenance for Airmen who are driven, empowered and ready to win.
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 02.12.2026 08:46 |
| Story ID: | 557224 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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