AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- The only Expeditionary Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory Centralized Repair Facility in Air Forces Central Command has a new home that sustains its theater-wide mission.
The 379th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron PMEL shop here is charged with repairing, calibrating and modifying test, measurement and diagnostic equipment covering 300 work centers on 24 bases in 10 countries in the AFCENT area of responsibility.
When comparing the new building to the unit’s old clam-shell style abode, the most significant advantage of the new facility is the control it offers over temperature and humidity management.
“When our environment goes out of our AFI-mandated temperature and humidity specifications, we have to do certain things to be able to calibrate our equipment,” said Master Sgt. Jason Degrasse, Testing, Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment Flight Chief.
At its previous residence, the PMEL completed 14,500 calibrations in 2015 according to DeGrasse. The new $1.9 million calibration center should allow for support to increase further.
“With the additional space, we can stand up new calibration capabilities. This will prevent us from having to do lateral support calibration from another PMEL,” De Grasse said. “More space means more standards, which means less time equipment is away from the owner.”