Missouri National Guard cuts ribbon on helicopter repair facility

Citizen-Soldiers, area representatives and community members were on hand for the ribbon cutting of the Missouri National Guard's newest facility on the campus of the Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group in Springfield, Mo., Dec. 19, 2011. The $34 million addition to the TASMG will allow for corrosion control for Army rotary-wing aircraft. (Ann Keyes/Missouri National Guard)

By Ann Keyes
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The Missouri National Guard cut a red ribbon to note the opening of a Corrosion Control Center on the campus of the Guard's Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group facility in Springfield.

As dozens of people looked on, Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, used an oversized pair of scissors to mark the occasion as facility commander Col. William Thomas, representatives for U.S. Senators Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt and others stood alongside.

"This state-of-the-art facility enhances our local depot maintenance capability, whereas we previously contracted this work outside our support area," said Lt. Col. Daniel Coleman, deputy commander of the flight facility that repairs Army rotary-wing aircraft.

The new facility has the capacity to provide paint and corrosion control services for four CH-47 Chinook or UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters at one time in four bright bays, said Coleman.

"This will result in the potential cost savings of millions of dollars per year for our customers, for many years to come," said Coleman of the opening of the more than $34 million addition to the maintenance group facility.

The Missouri TASMG started as the Aviation Repair Shop in 1962. In 1981, it became known as the Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD). In 2003, the facility received authorization to expand the campus and its capability in four phases. Phase I was completed in 2008. The Corrosion Control Center, opening Dec. 19, 2011, completes phase II.

"The addition of the new facility gives us the capability to expand on services we provide our customers," said TASMG commander Thomas, who expects to service 30 to 35 rotary-wing aircraft annually in the Corrosion Control Center. As mission dictates, there is the possibility for additional employees for the facility that currently employs approximately 330 Guard Citizen-Soldiers and civilian contractors.

The Missouri TASMG provides aviation maintenance support for a 14-state region, one of four such facilities in states across the nation, including California, Mississippi and Connecticut. The TASMG currently has test equipment and tooling to repair numerous critical National Maintenance Program aviation and ground support items in its main, 83,000 square-foot facility. Performing field-level aviation intermediate maintenance and limited depot-level maintenance, the facility directly contributes to Army and Army National Guard readiness. The 116,000 square-foot Corrosion Control Center adds to the mission.

Walton Construction was awarded the contract to build the facility in September 2009. Weather delayed the opening for some months, but the wait was worth it as indicated by those who toured the facility after the ceremony.

"The reality is, we've never painted aircraft at this facility, of this magnitude," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Richard Lawrence, allied trades foreman at the aviation facility. "We used to paint air frames at the AVCRAD shop, however, not on this magnitude. It is a big deal. It's awesome to be a part of it and support the 14-state region."

Danner noted the building was constructed with environmental elements in mind.

High-bay light fixtures are controlled via a centralized control system. Lights can be turned on or off by an astronomical time clock via programming, and by override, low-voltage switching. Occupancy sensors control most enclosed small areas, such as offices and restrooms.

Exterior lights are controlled by photocell and time clock. Ventilation systems have heat recovery with an air-to-air heat exchanger to transfer heating energy from exhaust air to fresh, outdoor air. High-efficiency condensing boilers are utilized in the heating system.

Already the largest Army helicopter blade shop in the nation, with the addition of the new facility and its expected repair of airframes, the TASMG looks to service nearly 100 rotary-wing aircraft annually.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please visit www.moguard.com and our social media sites: www.facebook.com/Missouri.National.Guard; www.twitter.com/Missouri_NG; www.youtube.com/MoNationalGuard; www.myspace.com/missouri_ng; www.flickr.com/photos/missouriguard; www.moguard.com/blog

Missouri National Guard Citizen-Soldiers tour a new Guard facility in Springfield, Mo., that will service 30 to 35 UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters annually. The Corrosion Control Center, on the campus of the Theater Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group, is a state-of-the-art system whereby rotary-wing airframes will be stripped and repainted, in addition to the repair of helicopter blades. (Ann Keyes/Missouri National Guard)