News>Travis civil engineers inspect, repair 17 generators for use in Japan
Photos
Tech. Sgt. Larry Lopez repairs a tactial generator April 27, 2011, at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. Seventeen generators are being sent to Misawa and Yokota air bases in Japan to support a Japanese-government-mandated power reduction of 25 percent. Sergeant lopez is a Civil Engineer Maintenance Inspection Repair Team industrial power technician. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Michael Battles)
Mike Powers repairs a tactial generator April 27, 2010, at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., which will be sent to Japan in support of the mandatory 25-percent energy reduction. Seventeen generators are being sent to Misawa and Yokota air bases in Japan. Mr. Powers is a Civil Engineer Maintenance Inspection Repair Team industrial mechanic. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Michael Battles)
by Airman 1st Class Michael Battles
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
5/2/2011 - TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- Recently, the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency's Civil Engineer Maintenance Inspection Repair Team here was tasked to inspect and repair 17 generators, which will be used to help power Yokota and Misawa air bases in Japan.
Due to the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March and caused damage to the Fukushima-Daiichi power plant, the Japanese government has instituted a mandate for large consumers to reduce energy consumption by a minimum of 25 percent. This mandate includes U.S. military bases in Japan.
"To maintain the needs of the mission at our bases in Japan, the government tasked us with supplying the generators, which will make up for the lost power," said Gary Campbell, the CEMIRT power systems foreman. "Our generators will furnish the energy needs at Yokota and Misawa for approximately two years."
The 17 generators, which are made up of five CEMIRT emergency power systems and 12 tactical generators, are currently being inspected, tested and fixed by CEMIRT technicians before they can be approved for operation.
Once inspections are complete, the units will be sent by ship to Japan by the end of August and split between the two installations to form mini-power plants, Mr. Campbell said.
Engineers plan to run the generators for approximately three hours a day, seven days a week, to keep each base at the required 25-percent reduction.
Once the generators arrive in Japan, a 16-person CEMIRT team plans to set up mini power plants and train local service members and Department of Defense civilians to operate and maintain the systems.
The CEMIRT team is composed of eight electrical and eight mechanical technicians who will be divided between the two locations.
"The tasking is essential for the military to keep its mission going," Mr. Campbell said.
The generators will not only supply power to keep operations going, but improve quality of life for the families of each base as well, he said.
"CEMIRT provides unique capabilities and skills for electrical and mechanical needs at the base level," said Vincent Consentino, the Travis AFB CEMIRT regional manager. "These skills that help us get our mission done are what make us a commodity to the Air Force."
The Travis AFB CEMIRT, a partner unit headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., provides mechanical and electrical capabilities for all air force bases west of the Mississippi River, as well as the entire Pacific.
Comments
5/19/2011 10:52:57 AM ET My CEMIRT brothers and sisters, continue as we have in the past. Congratulations goes out to the many civil engineer personnel who have continued this tradition. Your dedication, hard work and long hours will not go unrecognized. As we have come to the aid of those at Andersen Air Base on Guam years ago, we will restore our bases in Japan with the same intensity. You will be there when the USAF calls, as we were after Typhoon Paka destroyed Andersen AB on Guam. AFCESA will be there as we were during the Cuban missile crisis at Key West, Fla. You will be there. And you will make a difference. CE affects everyone every day, year after year. You will be there.
Anthony W Raduazo, CEMIRT RETIRED
5/4/2011 11:51:43 AM ET Great to see CEMIRT contributing to the Japan earthquake, tsunami relief efforts.
