Air Force plans major construction at Tinker Air Force Base, reduction in AWACS | News OK (http://newsok.com/air-force-plans-major-construction-at-tinker-air-force-base-reduction-in-awacs/article/3940171)


The U.S. Air Force plans to cut a quarter of the AWACS planes at Tinker Air Force Base, but station more air refueling tankers there and spend $111 million to build a maintenance depot space for the next generation of air refueling planes, according to the Air Force budget released Wednesday.

Oklahoma is one of only 10 states in which the Air Force is planning construction projects next year; Air Force budget documents state only the highest-priority projects were requested.

Just a little $111 million investment...

Wow, Tinker is an economic juggernaut.

Just for future outlook, the next generation bomber (NGB) is supposed to be fielded by 2018. We'll see if that comes to pass. Regardless, Tinker will likely get the PDM (primary depot maintenance) work, and probably will be the location of the SPO (system program office), since the other bomber (B-1, B-2, B-52) PDMs and SPOs are at Tinker. That would likely also mean new engine workload. That said, at least one, if not more, of the other bomber platforms will be retired, but that will take some time so there will be overlap. I suspect Boeing will also be involved since they have the B-1 and B-52, which means possible future engineering jobs with the NGB.

I hope they get that rail yard. It would mean that the rail company would stop using it (cause Tinker would have no reason to). And hopefully they can strip out all those crappy crossing that make the road horrible and then tie up traffic while the train goes 2 mph.

Reserve unit at Tinker Air Force Base would be inactive under AWACS proposal | News OK (http://newsok.com/reserve-unit-at-tinker-air-force-base-would-be-inactive-under-awacs-proposal/article/3942265)

To demonstrate the shear economic impact of Tinker...

They are in the process of awarding a $100 million construction contract JUST FOR PAVING!!

Incredible. And much more to come as the City is trying to acquire the rail yard between Tinker and the old GM plant, which would allow even more expansion.


By the way, the GM facility is over 4 million square feet and now essentially full.

Amazing we lost the General not that long ago and we didn't even skip a beat in economic terms. Certainly better off in the long-term.

Paving for streets or taxiway/runway/apron?

Paving for streets or taxiway/runway/apron?

Doesn't specifically say; you have to register as a gov contractor before you can see the details.

There is also a $25 million roofing contract to let.

I bet it is for apron and taxiway paving, seem to recall hearing they will be doing some taxiway work and added apron parking.

It's a multi-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract for up to 100 million. Could be any paving. They'll spend it as needs arise.

It's a multi-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract for up to 100 million. Could be any paving. They'll spend it as needs arise.

The parking lot for Building 3001 won't be cheap on its own and it's absolutely falling apart. Hopefully that will be part of this.

Air Force plans major construction at Tinker Air Force Base, reduction in AWACS | News OK (http://newsok.com/air-force-plans-major-construction-at-tinker-air-force-base-reduction-in-awacs/article/3940171)

The reasons for building on Tinker are as often political as anything. Case-in-point, during the 1980's Tinker was competing with other maintenance depots to stay open during the consolidation periods in force drawn-downs (from a high during the Vietnam War). The location was good (central), work force good, etc. but because politics does not care about practicalities, but in keeping jobs in their 'neck of the woods', this does not matter for much. But Tinker had a small 'in' that many bases lacked, because of it's central location it was home to the new AWACs fleet. The other 'major' bases were - planes rotated from Tinker - Kadena in Okinawa Japan for Asia, and Reykjavic in Iceland for the European command. But planes could easily be moved to other 'home bases', how to keep AWAC's? Simple, create an emergency alert facility - a base within a base specifically built to house AWAC's crews on 24/7 stand by for immediate deployment. This facility was built in the area near the current Air Reserve base and current Navy facility. Nice quarters, lunch room, etc. and parking for a couple AWAC's planes - totally unnecessary as crews on the 'normal' side of the base are always ready to go. It was built as a political tool to insure AWAC's had an anchor to stay at Tinker. My father was the manpower specialist who did all the hiring for this and all AWAC's crews for more than 30 years (in the Air Force and as civil service). It worked, Tinker kept AWAC's and became the last large Depot repair facility. To further anchor Tinker, the Navy fleet communication plane home facility was located at Tinker. These planes share a similar air-frame (based on the Boeing 707), and similar missions AWAC's is a mobile radar station that can help command and control over a battle field. For a small state, we use to have powerful, intelligent, and well-placed Senators - one of who is now the President of the University of Oklahoma. This same man once asked me what I thought about the B-2, and whether I thought we should build any more .... but that's another (completely true) story.

7547

^

Thanks for all the info.

It's really hard to get your head around everything they do there, which I still don't completely understand.

I was only on the base once and only saw a tiny part of it, as I was there for a wedding 30 years ago.

On the Air Force military side of the base AWAC's is the main anchor. Also, there are major support facilities for this mission. Additionally, Tinker is a major in-land hub for air-cargo transport (military transport aircraft) to support the various missions on and around Tinker. There use to be a communications squadron (the '3rd Herd) stationed at Tinker, but it has been moved. It had fleet of trucks that would drive around to support communication missions for the Air Commands.

The Air Depot employs the most people - mostly civilian - to repair and or rebuild every airplane in the military fleet - of all services. This is one of the most complicated and expansive repair facilities in the world.

The Air Reserve Base has changed missions over the years, last I heard (which may be out of date) is that it housed a fleet of Air Force tankers - planes used to refuel other planes in the air.

The Navy Facility primary mission i is the home of the Navy air communication air fleet. These planes use very long cables that extend out the back of the plane (when in flight) that use very low frequency waves to keep the submarines in communication with the rest of the fleet - world wide. Not the same as AWAC's but similar.

AWAC's emergency facility - mentioned in an earlier post.

To support these missions on Tinker there are housing for both enlisted and families, stores, Hospitals, gas stations, storage facilities, banks, grocery stores, golf courses (the importance of a military post can be determined by the condition of its golf course), bowling alley, pools, parks etc. The one thing I did not call out was the old GM plant on the bottom of the picture. It is utilized by the repair Depot, a lot of their buildings were built during WW2 and were in poor shape. So, a lot of the work in these older facilities were moved to the newer and empty GM facility - and it at least had air conditioning.

^

Awesome summary! Thanks so much.


Would be interesting to know how the 27,000 employees break down. I know that number does not include about 1,500 Boeing employees.

The navy 707 at tinker has no shared AWACS roll and there is no AWACS 24/7 emergency facility

The tinker ALC (air logistics facility). Mostly works on jet engines (over 100 different kinds)

It also is the depot facility for the e-3 the KC 135 the b-52 and does work on the b-2 The b-2 program office is on base.

Not close to all Air Force planes.

Tinker also hosts a major DISA facility AWACS is a tenant of Tinker which is an AFMC base AWACS is an ACC unit. The ALC is the anchor

The navy 707 at tinker has no shared AWACS roll and there is no AWACS 24/7 emergency facility

The tinker ALC (air logistics facility). Mostly works on jet engines (over 100 different kinds)

It also is the depot facility for the e-3 the KC 135 the b-52 and does work on the b-2 The b-2 program office is on base.

Not close to all Air Force planes.

Thanks for the update! What is the emergency facility used for now? ALC (Air Logistics) is just the current name for the old title 'Depot' and is no-doubt why the Base is open. I did not say that AWAC's has any shared Navy role, just that planes have similar, but obviously different missions, and share a common Air Frame. And since some of my family - and a lot friends, work on jet engines specifically at this facility - I'm quite aware of the planes they work on routinely (don't forget the B1 is also repaired here), though I was aware the B2 is on the base, I did not know its program office was here.
The Air Commands have been reorganized and are no longer called SAC, MAC, and TAC, but the missions are the same. Over the years I have seen every plane in the Air Force and most of the navy fighter fleet go through Tinker, though I have no doubt that this is not currently the repair depot for most - and some may have been simply going through.
As to the 'emergency AWAC's facility' I forget it's formal name, but know for a fact that it use to exist in that capacity. Not only did my father staff the facility in his manpower role, I worked at it during an earlier decade when the facility was used to host (at least the planes) red flag exercises. Navy, Air Force, ANG, and Marine fighter jets and support aircraft. I would hope that it found a more useful role as it seemed redundant. I'll make some calls to see how long it lasted and what it was used for.

You know, I always wondered why you never see the B2. We see the B1 all the time, but the B2 is hardly ever seen.

I've often wondered what will happen in the next 15-20 years when so much of the Air Force large fleet is due to be replaced. Some of this stuff is Eisenhower era equipment!!!!! They've done an AMAZING Job in keeping things modernized and running (and a lot of that is because of the Tinker crews and the now nearby Boeing engineers), but there's only so much you can or should do before it's time to retire a plane. The problem is, there aren't really good alternatives for the price.
The B-52, E3, KC135. They've all older than dirt now. I could (in an uneducated way) say that a new plane would be lighter and more efficient, but I do not know if the cost for maintaining a newer plane is actually better given how different it would be constructed now and the need to retrain the entire force. There are probably a lot of other details that go into why it hasn't been done yet. Heck, we had a KC135 replacement all but done before it was pulled back because of political nonsense between Boeing and Airbus (damned if I am gonna have my USAF fly a Euro bird <- personal opinion).

I have a few friends that are engineers at the Boeing office. Recently an age issue came up (as it often does) for the B-52. Something I don't seem to understand is that (and this is quite common as well), is that there are certain parts that are old enough (still original) and need to be replaced, but rather than doing that, the USAF and Boeing have decided to spend MORE money and repair/modify the existing structure. I don't understand why anyone would do this....and it's a repeated thing. Metal fatigue should have been a factor long ago so I don't really understand why an original part can be around after 60+ years of operation on this thing.

But think about the number of people involved in all aspects of this. How much of the Boeing force that just moved here does this? Quite a bit. How much of the Bldg. 3001 force works on these...again, quite a bit.

You know, I always wondered why you never see the B2. We see the B1 all the time, but the B2 is hardly ever seen.

I've often wondered what will happen in the next 15-20 years when so much of the Air Force large fleet is due to be replaced. Some of this stuff is Eisenhower era equipment!!!!! They've done an AMAZING Job in keeping things modernized and running (and a lot of that is because of the Tinker crews and the now nearby Boeing engineers), but there's only so much you can or should do before it's time to retire a plane. The problem is, there aren't really good alternatives for the price.
The B-52, E3, KC135. They've all older than dirt now. I could (in an uneducated way) say that a new plane would be lighter and more efficient, but I do not know if the cost for maintaining a newer plane is actually better given how different it would be constructed now and the need to retrain the entire force. There are probably a lot of other details that go into why it hasn't been done yet. Heck, we had a KC135 replacement all but done before it was pulled back because of political nonsense between Boeing and Airbus (damned if I am gonna have my USAF fly a Euro bird <- personal opinion).

I have a few friends that are engineers at the Boeing office. Recently an age issue came up (as it often does) for the B-52. Something I don't seem to understand is that (and this is quite common as well), is that there are certain parts that are old enough (still original) and need to be replaced, but rather than doing that, the USAF and Boeing have decided to spend MORE money and repair/modify the existing structure. I don't understand why anyone would do this....and it's a repeated thing. Metal fatigue should have been a factor long ago so I don't really understand why an original part can be around after 60+ years of operation on this thing.

But think about the number of people involved in all aspects of this. How much of the Boeing force that just moved here does this? Quite a bit. How much of the Bldg. 3001 force works on these...again, quite a bit.

There are some in the upper echelons of the AF who think the day of the bomber is gone.

Tinker also hosts a major DISA facility AWACS is a tenant of Tinker which is an AFMC base AWACS is an ACC unit. The ALC is the anchor

Glad you mentioned DISA, I was going to, worked at DISA (right before they turned into DISA, actually) for almost a decade a few decades ago. Heard it had gotten bigger, didn't realize it was "major" now...

We never see the B-2 because of its stealth characteristics, right? [Do I need to mention I'm kidding?]

Just saw this in a recent OKC Economic Development Trust report:


In January, the Chamber and the BNSF Rail Road have reached preliminary agreement on possible acquisition of the BNSF rail yard adjacent to Tinker Air Force Base for future mission use by the Air Force

It was formally called the 'AWACs Alert Facility'. Here is an article from the Oklahoman in 1985 :Design of Tinker AWACS Facility Eyed | News OK (http://newsok.com/design-of-tinker-awacs-facility-eyed/article/2102891/?page=1)
and and picture7572

And another bit of Trivia. The 137 refueling Air Wing Reserve Unit at Tinker use to be the 137 Transport Wing located at Will Rogers ANG base - a second AFB in OKC. They were the first Air National Guard Unit to receive C-130 transport aircraft off the production line instead of 'hand me downs' from the Air Force. They were H models and I spent a lot of time flying the world in those planes. They use to have a 'governors box' which was an official Office room with all the furnishings that was built to fit on a cargo pallet (extra large) that we would roll into one of the 8 C-130' stationed at Will Rogers ANG Base. The Governor then would use one of these planes to travel for official business, etc. It was not a waste of money as the air crews were required to maintain so many hours a month flying to keep qualified. So, we would put in the governors box, put the aircraft into MAC (mobility Air Command) logistics rotation (pick up cargo that needed to be transported for the Air Force) and transport the governor as needed.

I don't know how many of you remember the 'Air Shows' that use to be held at Will Rogers Airport - on the tarmac in front of the ANG base - during the '80's and '90's. There was a Master Sargent in my Unit who was a plane buff and he created this show for 'beer money'. Our unit use to have parties at the end of monthly drills and sometimes the socials required more money than we had on hand. So, the Sargent called a few friends he had made over the years flying as a loadmaster in the C-130's and got together a little 'Air Show' to help raise money for our parties. More planes came than we had hoped for, a lot of them thought they were going to Tinker when the heard 'OKC'. We were expecting about 10,000 people (if we were lucky) and we set up a food stand in the cargo hanger on the flightline to make 'beer money' Well, we got 50,000 people and the city took notice. We treated the crews so well that word got out that it was a good show to go to. The City of OKC took notice of our success and the very next year they took over .... they let us keep our 'beer stand' for a couple of years - but we had to work the show every year.

There used to be an air show/open house at Tinker back in the mid 60's, I remember The Oklahoman would have a full page spread on it showing the different planes. Saw the Thunderbirds there a couple of times. The F-100 was so cool to me as a kid.

I don't know how many of you remember the 'Air Shows' that use to be held at Will Rogers Airport - on the tarmac in front of the ANG base - during the '80's and '90's. There was a Master Sargent in my Unit who was a plane buff and he created this show for 'beer money'. Our unit use to have parties at the end of monthly drills and sometimes the socials required more money than we had on hand. So, the Sargent called a few friends he had made over the years flying as a loadmaster in the C-130's and got together a little 'Air Show' to help raise money for our parties. More planes came than we had hoped for, a lot of them thought they were going to Tinker when the heard 'OKC'. We were expecting about 10,000 people (if we were lucky) and we set up a food stand in the cargo hanger on the flightline to make 'beer money' Well, we got 50,000 people and the city took notice. We treated the crews so well that word got out that it was a good show to go to. The City of OKC took notice of our success and the very next year they took over .... they let us keep our 'beer stand' for a couple of years - but we had to work the show every year.

Saw one air show there, the one with the huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge Russian plane (world's largest?) and the same one where the aerobatic pilot dove straight into the ground right in front of us. :-(

The reasons for building on Tinker are as often political as anything. Case-in-point, during the 1980's Tinker was competing with other maintenance depots to stay open during the consolidation periods in force drawn-downs (from a high during the Vietnam War). The location was good (central), work force good, etc. but because politics does not care about practicalities, but in keeping jobs in their 'neck of the woods', this does not matter for much. But Tinker had a small 'in' that many bases lacked, because of it's central location it was home to the new AWACs fleet. The other 'major' bases were - planes rotated from Tinker - Kadena in Okinawa Japan for Asia, and Reykjavic in Iceland for the European command. But planes could easily be moved to other 'home bases', how to keep AWAC's? Simple, create an emergency alert facility - a base within a base specifically built to house AWAC's crews on 24/7 stand by for immediate deployment. This facility was built in the area near the current Air Reserve base and current Navy facility. Nice quarters, lunch room, etc. and parking for a couple AWAC's planes - totally unnecessary as crews on the 'normal' side of the base are always ready to go. It was built as a political tool to insure AWAC's had an anchor to stay at Tinker. My father was the manpower specialist who did all the hiring for this and all AWAC's crews for more than 30 years (in the Air Force and as civil service). It worked, Tinker kept AWAC's and became the last large Depot repair facility. To further anchor Tinker, the Navy fleet communication plane home facility was located at Tinker. These planes share a similar air-frame (based on the Boeing 707), and similar missions AWAC's is a mobile radar station that can help command and control over a battle field. For a small state, we use to have powerful, intelligent, and well-placed Senators - one of who is now the President of the University of Oklahoma. This same man once asked me what I thought about the B-2, and whether I thought we should build any more .... but that's another (completely true) story.

The Navy squadrons mission at Tinker is nothing like the AWACS mission.

Saw one air show there, the one with the huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge Russian plane (world's largest?) and the same one where the aerobatic pilot dove straight into the ground right in front of us. :-(

Yeah, I remember that show. I was there to greet the Russian Crew to help host, nice people. But, I wasn't there for the crash - sadly ironic he was piloting a Russian design/built aerobatic plane.

There are some in the upper echelons of the AF who think the day of the bomber is gone.

Yeah, they were saying that before Vietnam (because of ballistic missiles), Iraq, the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan... No doubt how they carry out their missions has changed, will change again. But as a tactical option it would be foolish to eliminate them altogether.

Many good memories of the WRANGB air shows and the beloved Herks. 809 was my personal fave.

Great news for Tinker. $500 million new aircraft maintenance facility with 1,300 new jobs in the next few years, with a possibility of 2,000 more in the future.

Quality Jobs Act changes could help Tinker add jobs | News OK (http://newsok.com/quality-jobs-act-changes-could-help-tinker-add-jobs/article/4744371)

Fantastic!

Now, we know why they have been working so hard to acquire the rail yard between Tinker and the old GM plant. Article says they are willing to pay up to $45 million for it.

It says the 1,300 jobs wouldn't kick in until 2018 but it's great to have that locked down so far in advance.


Wow, the OKC economy is absolutely raging.

lol...Maybe I'll move across base...Been looking for a change.

This is absolutely wonderful news for Tinker and for OKC. And while not related specifically to Tinker, OKC may soon benefit from some very special job additions at Will Rogers ANG Base just 15 minutes to the west.

This is absolutely wonderful news for Tinker and for OKC. And while not related specifically to Tinker, OKC may soon benefit from some very special job additions at Will Rogers ANG Base just 15 minutes to the west.

Do you know something but can't tell us?

This is fantastic news. Aviation jobs (especially maintenance) bring a ton of support jobs too.

Do you know something but can't tell us?

Well, WRANGB will likely be getting a new airframe (RC-26) next year or in 2016. This will be used to support Army or OBN/DEA operations. The move to RC-26 should add a dozen or more AGR positions, but that's not really the big news.

Nothing may come of the efforts, but officials are trying to land special operations squadrons. If this occurred, WRANGB would move from the Mobility Command to Special Operations Command. This would be good news because AFSOC bases get tons of funding and support. It would mean that WRANGB would add positions, infrastructure, and funds while essentially making itself immune from BRAC for the foreseeable future.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well, WRANGB will likely be getting a new airframe (RC-26) next year or in 2016. This will be used to support Army or OBN/DEA operations. The move to RC-26 should add a dozen or more AGR positions, but that's not really the big news.

Nothing may come of the efforts, but officials are trying to land special operations squadrons. If this occurred, WRANGB would move from the Mobility Command to Special Operations Command. This would be good news because AFSOC bases get tons of funding and support. It would mean that WRANGB would add positions, infrastructure, and funds while essentially making itself immune from BRAC for the foreseeable future.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Very interesting. Hopefully their efforts are rewarded. Is there any way to track progress on this somewhere? Or do we just wait for a decision to be announced?

Just saw this in a recent OKC Economic Development Trust report:

Yep, it is an ongoing and very difficult process to get the railroad to move. There are a lot of people involved in this.

I'm not sure how reliable the information happens to be, but I recently heard that the City of Midwest City had agreed to handle (normal) waste disposal for Tinker AFB, at the city's expense. Some in MWC might object, but the municipality seems to be doing everything it can to make the OKC metro an attractive location for DOD, and the end result of these efforts is a benefit to the OKC metro. Other than that, I also heard that, should Tinker close it's golf course due to the budget cuts, the base would open up the course to the public and both Tinker and MWC would share in operation costs and revenue.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If that's true, MWC wouldn't be able to handle it with the infrastructure in place today. Tinker is a "city" of 50k people. There's no way that MWC could almost double it's amount of waste to process in a day without a HUGE plant construction project. Plus, since Tinker already has a plant, it wouldn't make sense to do it that way. Perhaps MWC will be staffing it rather than piping it all several miles up to the plant????

As for the golf course, they would really need to set up an access road to do that. The parking lot is on the opposite side of the course from 29th, on Arnold. Somehow I think it would defeat the purposes of security on the base if they regularly let the general public in unescorted. They never ended up opening up the plane museum for the public like was supposed to happen with the re-vamp of that park. With such a simple project there, it seems highly unlikely that they would just open things up like that. I'd bet first, they'd eat up the land for new construction since it's such a big parcel in a very tightly squeezed base. Being on the resident side, it would be prime land for a million uses.

If that's true, MWC wouldn't be able to handle it with the infrastructure in place today. Tinker is a "city" of 50k people. There's no way that MWC could almost double it's amount of waste to process in a day without a HUGE plant construction project. Plus, since Tinker already has a plant, it wouldn't make sense to do it that way. Perhaps MWC will be staffing it rather than piping it all several miles up to the plant????

As for the golf course, they would really need to set up an access road to do that. The parking lot is on the opposite side of the course from 29th, on Arnold. Somehow I think it would defeat the purposes of security on the base if they regularly let the general public in unescorted. They never ended up opening up the plane museum for the public like was supposed to happen with the re-vamp of that park. With such a simple project there, it seems highly unlikely that they would just open things up like that. I'd bet first, they'd eat up the land for new construction since it's such a big parcel in a very tightly squeezed base. Being on the resident side, it would be prime land for a million uses.

Midwest City likely has a contract with Tinker whereby Tinker pays Midwest City as a (not-so) typical customer. I haven't been out there to look, but Tinker may already have its own transfer station for solid waste, and it is likely that Midwest City's contract includes operations and maintenance of that facility as well. Often these contracts include the purchase of the AFB's old equipment and the hiring of their personnel, all wrapped-up in the fee paid to Midwest City for solid waste collection service. Privatization/municipalization of DoD ancillary functions is a big program.

As for the golf course, they would really need to set up an access road to do that. The parking lot is on the opposite side of the course from 29th, on Arnold. Somehow I think it would defeat the purposes of security on the base if they regularly let the general public in unescorted. They never ended up opening up the plane museum for the public like was supposed to happen with the re-vamp of that park. With such a simple project there, it seems highly unlikely that they would just open things up like that. I'd bet first, they'd eat up the land for new construction since it's such a big parcel in a very tightly squeezed base. Being on the resident side, it would be prime land for a million uses.

If they do it like the base I'm currently working at, they'll have an authorized entry list that will allow people to enter the base. They'll have already gone through all the required screening before allowed access and their access will only be for the golf course.

I just posted what I had heard; I'm not suggesting that any of it is true or feasible. That being the case, my former base, which was located in the middle of nowhere, allowed civilians to bowl at the installation bowling alley. I'm Security Forces, so I was a part of the process of granting them access to base. I don't recall every step in the process, but I do know that each person was issued a temporary visitor's pass. Allowing off-base civilians to enter for such a purpose is something that the AF has done before, although I don't know to what degree it could be done at Tinker.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sounds reasonable with the waste...heck MRMC has been providing the flighline ambulance service for over 10 years now. I probably jumped to a much too complicated idea when thinking about shifting it to the MWC center.

I've been on-base (total civilian here) with family and friends all my life. We even had my senior prom at the officer's club...my sister's wedding reception was at the now gone enlisted men's club. I know they have a habit of letting people on for events or when they're escorted, I just wasn't sure how they would feel/handle (especially in a post 9/11 era) with a regular trickle of people. Not saying it couldn't be done, just seems like you're putting an awful lot of trust in a jon q public to do what they say they will on going to the course. Not that it helps if you don't have a badge when you go anywhere on base to buy something or whatever, but it could be problematic if, for example, they don't go to the course and instead go to the residential area and steal something.

Well, WRANGB will likely be getting a new airframe (RC-26) next year or in 2016. This will be used to support Army or OBN/DEA operations. The move to RC-26 should add a dozen or more AGR positions, but that's not really the big news.

Nothing may come of the efforts, but officials are trying to land special operations squadrons. If this occurred, WRANGB would move from the Mobility Command to Special Operations Command. This would be good news because AFSOC bases get tons of funding and support. It would mean that WRANGB would add positions, infrastructure, and funds while essentially making itself immune from BRAC for the foreseeable future.

My very last "assignment" in the Air Force was with the 682nd ASOC.

If that's true, MWC wouldn't be able to handle it with the infrastructure in place today. Tinker is a "city" of 50k people. There's no way that MWC could almost double it's amount of waste to process in a day without a HUGE plant construction project. Plus, since Tinker already has a plant, it wouldn't make sense to do it that way. Perhaps MWC will be staffing it rather than piping it all several miles up to the plant????

As for the golf course, they would really need to set up an access road to do that. The parking lot is on the opposite side of the course from 29th, on Arnold. Somehow I think it would defeat the purposes of security on the base if they regularly let the general public in unescorted. They never ended up opening up the plane museum for the public like was supposed to happen with the re-vamp of that park. With such a simple project there, it seems highly unlikely that they would just open things up like that. I'd bet first, they'd eat up the land for new construction since it's such a big parcel in a very tightly squeezed base. Being on the resident side, it would be prime land for a million uses.

The plane museum has been back open for months

Maybe now, but that was supposed to happen more than a decade ago...actually longer than that.

And another bit of Trivia. The 137 refueling Air Wing Reserve Unit at Tinker
use to be the 137 Transport Wing located at Will Rogers ANG base - a
second AFB in OKC. They were the first Air National Guard Unit to receive
C-130 transport aircraft off the production line instead of 'hand me downs'
from the Air Force. They were H models and I spent a lot of time flying
the world in those planes.
Will Rogers is the refueling wing. I about cried when Henry decided
to replace the C-130's with the KC-137.

I've taken many trips on Hercs (C-130 Hercules). The C-130 is one of, if
not the most, versatile aircraft the military has.

Will Rogers is the refueling wing. I about cried when Henry decided
to replace the C-130's with the KC-137.

I've taken many trips on Hercs (C-130 Hercules). The C-130 is one of, if
not the most, versatile aircraft the military has.

It was the DoD that replaced the C-130 with the KC-135.

It was the DoD that replaced the C-130 with the KC-135.
But gov henry agreed with it. He could have said no. He didn't. His
agreeing with General Wright was the demise of the C-130 wing.

Don't get me wrong, I like the KC 135's (I accidentally said 137) and I've
spent a lot of time with the "Boomer". I simply prefer the C-130's.

If you've heard the story about putting a monkey at a typewriter, sometimes the state legislature does something good even if it's by accident.

Oklahoma House votes to modify Quality Jobs Program Act for Tinker | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-house-votes-to-modify-quality-jobs-program-act-for-tinker/article/4844926)

I stopped by WRANGB late in the afternoon the day the 130s left. There was a sort of hollow feeling out on the ramp...halfway expected to see Dean Jagger ride up.

If you've heard the story about putting a monkey at a typewriter, sometimes the state legislature does something good even if it's by accident.

Oklahoma House votes to modify Quality Jobs Program Act for Tinker | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-house-votes-to-modify-quality-jobs-program-act-for-tinker/article/4844926)

You realize they are approving this money AFTER the jobs have already been awarded to Tinker right? In my book that make this one of the dumbest expenditures of money in a long time.


Federal officials already have approved Tinker as the maintenance site for these civilian jobs

You realize they are approving this money AFTER the jobs have already been awarded to Tinker right? In my book that make this one of the dumbest expenditures of money in a long time.

I totally disagree. You neglected to point out this part.


Another 2,000 civilian jobs could be coming to Tinker later, Sears said

If you think this was approved without any advance discussion with the state I've got a nice bridge in Brooklyn I'd like to sell you.

Tinker has been a candidate for closure in the past and could be again in the future. Anything that solidifies the job base is great for OKC and for the state.

Tinker has been a candidate for closure in the past and could be again in the future. Anything that solidifies the job base is great for OKC and for the state.

This is exactly right. There has to be another BRAC round coming up, whether the current Congress wants it or not. Our military's infrastructure is too spread out to justify needing all of it while we're discharging tens of thousands of people per service. Tinker has made itself into a behemoth of a base, but they can't sit still and do nothing or the politics of the BRAC could outweigh just how important that base really is.

Yup and remember, economic impact on the surrounding community is NO LONGER part of the formula. If it turned OKC into a wasteland, it wouldn't matter.

That's short-sighted in my opinion since the overall economic impact is felt by the country when 50K people lose their job overnight. That's why it's important to continue to bring in more purpose to Tinker. Have it do as much as possible to make it more valuable.

You know, the FAA MMAC houses several different agency's servers in the data center in OKC (often as the DR site for those agencies). Does anyone know how the AF handles that sort of thing. Tinker could pretty easily put a bunker building in somewhere on the grounds (pretty much anywhere) and house servers. It's something that's a real pain in the rear to move so it adds value to the base.

...

You know, the FAA MMAC houses several different agency's servers in the data center in OKC (often as the DR site for those agencies). Does anyone know how the AF handles that sort of thing. Tinker could pretty easily put a bunker building in somewhere on the grounds (pretty much anywhere) and house servers. It's something that's a real pain in the rear to move so it adds value to the base.

Most likely through a fee-for-service agreement, that's how they handled non-DoD stuff back when I was working for DISA there (1986-1995).

TAFB has been a candidate for closing since I worked there, wonder if it will ever be truly safe from closure...