The White Falcon - 07.05.1993, Side 4

Initiative pays off for one base command
Story and photo by
J03 (SW) Andreas Walter
The Defense Reutilization Marketing Of-
fice (DRMO), is known for some pretty good
deals at times. But to find a working 1983
Land Rover among the offerings is another
story.
This is just what happened to AK2 Bill
Fleming, assigned to maintenance at Fleet
Air Keflavik (CFK).
“We went to DRMO to pick up a computer
table and came back with a vehicle,” ex-
plained Fleming.
The process was a bit more involved than
just receiving the keys and driving off.
“We coordinated our desires with the Air
Force Transportation officer, and found out
“We went to DRMO to
pick up a computer table
and came back with a
vehicle.”
what needed to be done to transfer the vehicle
to our command,” he said.
Originally, the Rover was turned into
DRMO by the Air Force. After checking the
legality of obtaining it, Fleming comman-
deered some jumper cables and went about
starting it.
“The engine turned over and caught imme-
diately, a good sign for us,” Fleming recalled.
“The brakes needed replacement and the
whole vehicle was in need of a thorough
cleaning,” he added.
“We depend on our vehicle during shift
changes and exercises. During the winter
months, we found ourselves mired in snow
on a daily basis, now we have a four-wheel-
drive with all-weather capability.”
“The vehicle didn’t cost our command a
dime. We just need to keep it clean and in
good repair.”
With a reliable vehicle at their disposal,
Fleming said the CFK watchstanders will not
dread the blowing snows of winter.
The benefits of DRMO’s services have not
gone only to CFK. Other commands base-
wide have reutilized merchandise as well.
The Seabees were the recipients of numer-
ous trucks in recent months.
The vehicles included various pickups,
fuel tankers and trailers.
CM 1 (SCW) Billy Rogers, Transportation
A prime example of the benefits of DRMO's program: A 1983 Land Rover brought back to
life by the efforts of AK2 Bill Fleming.
Leading Petty Officer for Public Works De-
partment, outlined the process by which the
vehicles were obtained.
“We made a trip to a few of the bases in
Germany that were facing closure and chose
what we could use here in Iceland,” said
Rogers.
He related how the only hang-up was actu-
ally waiting on the equipment to arrive.
“This is a very economical way to enhance
our snow removal capabilities and our re-
sponse times. By justifying the “purchase”
for transportation needs, the vehicles basi-
cally just underwent a lateral move from one
military facility to another,” he added.
Under the current program, more than $1.1
million worth of equipment has been trans-
ferred from Germany to Iceland and relo-
cated to commands in need. Items as small as
calculators all the way to a camouflaged six-
wheel-drive trucks have come to Iceland.
Locally, the DRMO facility, building 866,
houses items discarded by base commands.
“We deal exclusively in materials aq^
property from on the base,” said Ragnfl
Karlsson, DRMO Chief. ^
The items are entered in the DRMO com-
puter system so that other commands can see
what is available. After a certain period of
time, many pieces are sold directly to the
Icelandic government.
“When items that are not needed by com-
mands, accumulate, we have cash and carry
sales, usually once a month,” said Karlsson.
Items sold to the public must have an initial
aquisition price of no more than $1,000. He
stated that in an average month, the income
from a sale can amount to as much as $2,000.
The newest twist to the reutilization pro-
gram is the disposal of government vehicles.
“DRMO is gearing up to sell previously
used government vehicles to the public. We
do not have a specific date yet, but an an-
nouncement will be made when all of the
needed paperwork is completed, ” he added.
Activities for the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society Fund Drive
Date Event Location Time Price
May 8 Bowl-a-thon Bowling alley 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. pledges
May 16 Car wash PWD wash rack 1-4 p.m. cars, $5 trucks, $10
May 22 Doughnut sale Air Terminal 8 a.m. on TBA
May 22 Free-throw shoot-in Base gym 6 - 10 p.m. cash prizes
4
The White Falcon