8th AMU settles in

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Col. Donald Van Patten, 49th Maintenance Group commander, and Master Sgt. Greggory Sinclair, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Unit specialist flight chief, cut a ribbon to celebrate the opening of the 8th AMU building, Sept. 16, 2010. After five months of renovation, Colonel Van Patten welcomed over 300 Airmen from the 8th AMU into their remodeled building. The 8th AMU invested $2 million toward the renovation of their building where they can continue their support for F-22 operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Veronica Stamps / Released)

8th AMU settles in

HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Capt. Jessica Williams, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, cuts a slice of cake at the opening ceremony of the 8th AMU building, Sept. 16, 2010. Airmen from the 8th AMU were invited to eat cake and take a tour of the newly renovated building. The 8th AMU invested $2 million toward the renovation of their building where they can continue their support for F-22 operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Veronica Stamps / Released)

8th AMU settles in to renovated building

Published Oct. 4, 2010
By Capt. Jessica Williams
8th Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge

849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron -- On Sept. 16, the ribbon was officially cut on the renovated facility for the 8th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, one of two maintenance units in the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

The event was hosted by Col. Donald Van Patten, 49th Maintenance Group commander, and attended by Col. Kevin Huyck, 49th Operations Group commander, as well as the men and women of the 8th AMU.

The renovations to the building began in March 2009 and were completed in August 2010. The overall renovation was a combination of work by the 49th Civil Engineer Squadron and self-help.

Master Sgt. Greggory Sinclair, Tech. Sgt. Michael Euman and Staff Sgt. Jason Welch, all with the 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, along with Tech. Sgt. Byron Honsvick, 49th Maintenance Operations Squadron, and many others worked tirelessly to revitalize the interior of the facility.

They painted, built walls and offices, updated the snack bar and ensured a proper break area for more than 200 maintainers. Additionally, they managed contractors who updated the communications infrastructure and provided the 8th AMU with the most up-to-date communications technology.

The building space increased by adding an extension on to the flight line side for the supply function, and constructing an additional facility for the maintenance support section, adding a total of 15,000 square feet of work space.

Their efforts provided the AMU with a world class facility to maintain the F-22 Raptor -- the world's most advanced fighter aircraft.