436th AMXS builds mezzanine in hangar

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 436th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron celebrated their recently built mezzanine in Hangar 793 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The mezzanine, a second floor built inside the hangar, is installed with new lockers to serve as the 436th AMXS maintainer's personal locker room.

"Today with the new locker rooms, morale has doubled," said Maj. Stephanie Halcrow, 436th AMXS commander.

The proof of morale boost was on the Airmen's faces as they climbed the stairs to see the mezzanine locker room for the first time after the ceremony.

"The new lockers are now doubled in size, offering a nice and secure place to store personal equipment, coolers for lunches and even motorcycle helmets," said Major Halcrow.

The 436th AMXS Airmen couldn't fit all of their personal protective equipment into the small lockers, but now the lockers are big enough.

"These lockers are really nice," said Airman 1st Class Joshua Klotz, 436th AMXS maintainer, who climbed into his locker and gave a "thumbs up" pose with a smile on his face.

The spacious lockers allow Airmen more than enough space to store all of their items compared to the old lockers.

"It was difficult to cram everything into the lockers before so many of us would keep everything in our car, but now, we're able to put all of our cold weather gear, coveralls, meals and more into our own assigned lockers," said Airman Clifford Ferry, 436th AMXS maintainer, who also helped work on the mezzanine project. "This mezzanine project was a lot of work, but I enjoyed it overall. I'm able to say I'm proud to have made my mark on building my first mezzanine."

The mezzanine not only serves as a place for storage, but also as a private area for maintainers.

"We built the mezzanine because we believed this to be a great way to provide Airmen with their own personal space," said Master Sgt. David Fowler, 436th AMXS Programs Office NCO in-charge.

The Airmen's break room was also re-located from Hangar 793 to Building 760 into an office environment during Fall 2009 to provide Airmen a better work area.

"I didn't want the Airmen in a sub-standard work environment, that is why we built the mezzanine locker room and moved Airmen to an office with computers," said Major Halcrow.

The major said when she first came to Dover and became commander of the squadron, she wanted to help improve the quality of the work place for the Airmen. Now, Airmen are able to train in an air and heat-conditioned building.

"I really appreciate everything Major Halcrow has done for us, we're really taken care of with all the changes that were made," said Airman 1st Class Jonathan Erickson, 436th AMXS maintainer and mezzanine project worker who helped build and paint the floor. "I never though I'd be able to build a mezzanine after joining the Air Force because this isn't my primary job, but I'm glad I had the chance to work on this project."