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CAPS keeps planes in the sky

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Spencer Gallien
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  One unit is responsible for ensuring all aircraft at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing have the proper parts to keep the mission moving.

The Consolidated Aircraft Parts Store primarily supports six weapons systems including the C-130 Hercules, RC-135 Rivet Joint and the KC-135 Stratotanker. However, the group of supply Airmen has also shipped critical aircraft assets throughout the Central Command AOR and CONUS.

"The CAPS function provides a distinct capability to supply and issue aircraft parts to warfighters 24 hours a day, 7 days a week," said Capt. Justin Rowe, 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Material Management Flight commander. "This is an extremely significant responsibility, enabling aircraft to support our ground forces and Coalition partners across the central command AOR."

The captain added that throughout the past six months, CAPS has issued and shipped more than 70,000 items worth $456 million to maintainers world-wide.

The group of logistics Airmen maintaining CAPS has streamlined processes to effectively handle the workload that comes along with being the largest aircraft parts store in the AOR.

"LRS assists with the management of aircraft support kits and ensures parts are ready to go out to the maintainers at all times," said Staff Sgt. Ron Reyome, CAPS assistant NCO-in-charge. "Through the organization and proper management of the kits we are able to ensure the parts are in place and readily available to the maintainers out on the flightline."

During the past year, the shop has grown from housing 4,000 line items to accommodating 10,500 items, added Sergeant Reyome. The group has managed to maintain the additional 6,500 items within the same warehouse.

"Our warehouse is organized so the most often requested parts are efficiently located, putting the space we have available to good use," said Tech Sgt. Jeffrey Presson, CAPS NCO-in-charge. "Each Airman is responsible for their specific areas, and by doing this, we have greatly reduced the amount of time it takes to process, locate, and issue aircraft parts to our respective counter-parts."

On average, the group supplies between 1,800 and 2,000 items to on-base customers monthly.

However, there is a predetermined amount of parts the group must maintain in stock.
"Each month, more than 1,200 items come in, replenishing and replacing what was on our shelves to begin with," said Sergeant Reyome.

"Of all the parts the maintainers need, we have 85 percent of that loaded on base," he added. "Of that 85 percent, when they need one of those items, 96 percent of those are in stock in the warehouse."

As the mission grows here, the CAPS team Airmen will continue to provide maintainers the equipment necessary to accomplish their objective, said Captain Rowe.

"We have an extremely talented and professional team running the CAPS operation," he added. "Our supply personnel are deeply dedicated to the mission and understand the direct effect the CAPS function has on the mission here."

As Airman 1st Class Apolo Melendez, CAPS team member, pointed out, "You can't fly without supply."