Aircraft shelters

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- A contractor with EDL Construction, Inc. digs out concrete during the start of new aircraft shelters in front of the 389th Fighter Squadron Jan. 5. In May, a contract for more than $4.2 million was awarded to EDL Construction, Inc. to build the 54 aircraft shelters that provide cover for maintainers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Renishia Richardson)

Aircraft shelters

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- A contractor with EDL Construction, Inc. bolts down a steel beam during the building of new aircraft shelters in front of the 389th Fighter Squadron Jan. 5. In May, a contract for more than $4.2 million was awarded to EDL Construction, Inc. to build the 54 aircraft shelters that provide cover for maintainers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Renishia Richardson)

Aircraft shelters

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Contractors work to build new aircraft shelters on the flightline in front of the 389th Fighter Squadron Jan. 5. In May, a contract for more than $4.2 million was awarded to EDL Construction, Inc. to build the 54 aircraft shelters that provide cover for maintainers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Renishia Richardson)

Maintainers receive aircraft shelters

Published Jan. 7, 2011
By Airman Samuel Anderson
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- After more than five months of construction 18 aircraft shelters are completed and ready for use by the 391st Aircraft Maintenance Unit.

Mountain Home Air Force base awarded EDL Construction, a California based company that specializes in pre-engineered steel buildings, a contract for more than $4.2 million dollars to build 54 aircraft shelters May 17.

"It's ten times better," said Senior Airman Kyle Wood, 391st AMU crew chief. "Working under the shelters, you don't have to worry about the ice on the aircraft. That alone will limit the amount of time we have to de-ice the planes. Another plus of these shelters, although we haven't experienced it yet, is going to be in the summer when it is a little cooler in the shade then in the sun."

The new aircraft shelters affect the maintainers in many ways, said Master Sgt. Bradley Clark, 391st AMU production superintendent, who has nearly 20 years of maintenance experience.

"During the rain, it's a little bit easier for us to work because we're not standing out there soaking wet," said Sgt. Clark. "It's a good morale boost for our guys to get under there and be able to focus on their job instead of focusing on getting rained on or the sun shining on them or picking up the parts that are 102 degrees in the summer."

Sergeant Clark also thinks these shelters will cut down the snow removal process by at least half. With the new parking arrangement of the planes, the 366th Civil Engineer Squadron will be able to bring their equipment in without worrying about hitting the jets.

Additionally, Sergeant Clark feels that productivity will increase because crew chiefs will know where each aircraft is parked and all the aircraft will be in one condensed area.

"Ultimately, if our Airmen aren't fighting the elements as much, it's going to ease a little time of the maintenance aspect and we will be able to turn the aircraft a little bit quicker," said Master Sergeant Clark. "In the end, the shelters give us a sharper image. When people drive by they see that everything is lined up the same, the spots are the same and the fire bottles are the same. I think it just gives a much more professional image."