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Show 2 NEWS Dec. 13, 1991 H.lltop Science helps de-ic- e runways to remove ice than it does to prevent it from forming," said Phil McMillan, an electrical design engineer from CE who worked on getting the system installed here. " What as we'll be doing is not so much ahead of time. "Although we'll still be using the same chemical with this system, we'll be using much less." "It takes more chemical by SSgt. Barbara Fisher Hilltop Times staff Thanks to a new system, Hill AFB airfield managers can now walk to a computer terminal and see on a screen exactly what the surface conditions are in different areas of the airfield. The Runway Ice Detection System, installed durand help ing the summer, will save money on r surfor forecast airfield an accurate provide face conditions. RIDS is a series of eight round sensors, about five inches in diameter, placed in the concrete or asphalt surfaces of the runway and taxiways of the airfield. These sensors, seven of which are on the surface of the runway and taxiways and one of which is below ground, are linked by cable to remote processing units. Together the sensors and processing units, which have atmospheric measuring devices on them, monitor and record runway pavement temperatures, speed and direction of the wind and the presence of moisture. de-ic- er de-ici- anti-icin- ng g de-ice- I 24-ho- P ' ' ) - 1 I 1 I 1 i fj n .; ( " ' ,' J By radio signal - S , An fun- - Pliulu Uy G't'yy Wnym Weather check Gerald Zabel, senior air traffic control specialist, stands next to a remote processing unit that relays weather data to Base Operations via radio signal. The RPUs then relay, by radio signal, the information to base operations every 15 seconds where it is available for view on a computer terminal. Having this information available alerts Base Operations to what's currently happening on the surface of the runway and whether freezing conditions are about to occur. If flying activity requires runway use, plans can then be made for airfield operations through the 2849th Civil Engineering Squadron. de-icin- g Payback McMillan estimates that RIDS, which cost less than $200,000 to install, will pay for itself in the next alone. three years in the savings on chemical McMillan said as much as 20,000 to 30,000 gallons can be put down on the runof the chemical way and taxiways during a winter. The runway itself is 13,500 feet long and 200 feet wide. The costs, on average, $5.60 per gallon. Gerald Zabel, Base Operations, says a key benefit of the system is its ability to forecast runway conditions. For example, given the current conditions and a forecast for the next day, the computer can predict the runway and taxiway temperatures hourly for the next 24 hours. are going to take off at 10 a.m., for "If the example," he said, "we can look to the RIDS sysbefore then or not." tem to see if we'll need to "We'll still have to drive out and evaluate braking action," Zabel said, "but this system lets us plan better based on more accurate data." Hill's airfield is the second of 28 bases in the Air Force to receive this system, said McMillan. It's modeled after a similar system at Salt Lake International Airport. de-ic- er de-ic- er de-ic- er F-1- de-ic- e 5W$. B Continued from Page Some civilian and military workers 1 "During this initial phase, we learned many important lessons," said Maj. Gen. Dale W. Thompson Jr., ALC commander. "There was no degradation of services provided to our customers and employee morale was greatly enhanced for those able to participate in the CWS. "We did learn, however," he added "that it was difficult to do routine projects at times such as conducting staff meetings or answering some of the questions because employees participating in the compressed work week were off any given Monday or Friday. "Many of those employees not participating in the program voiced concerns which we are addressing through our new standardized schedule," said Thompson. Thompson said the decision to put as much of the ALC work force as possible on the CWS test was done for many reasons. "Our paramount concern was to develop a schedule that would not impair our mission readiness," the general said. "We have customers around the world who rely on this center for support. We looked very hard at the proposal to expand the CWS so we would not adversely impact our mission. "In fact," he said, "we will be available many more hours to assist our customers, especially our overseas units, because of our extended work Og-de- one-quart- schedule." ; C will not participate in the CWS. Approximately 1,100 ALC employees who work in the base opera- 66 n 24-ho- In fact, we will be available many more hours to assist our customers, especially our overseas units, because of our extended work schedule. r f If 2 J 99 er Maj. Gen. Dale W. Thompson Jr. Ogden The commander said the morale incentive for employees was also part of decision to go to the CWS. "It also helps to alleviate some adverse effects on our environment by reducing the number of vehicles driven to the base each day," he said. "Many of the car and van pools that were interrupted when the test began can now be reactivated." Members of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1592 are solidly behind the proposal to expand the CWS. "The union proposed in 1987 that a compressed work schedule would be beneficial for the Air Force, our customers and our employees," said union president Bill Shoell. "We have worked hard to bring this concept to Hill." Base officials expect to cut costs in such areas as service contracts and ALC commander utilities consumed by the base. "With the shrinking budgets available in the Department of Defense, we have to look at all areas where we can be cost effective," Thompson said. "We are studying our contracts now to see how eliminating some services two days each month will save money." Thompson said he also thinks the new work schedule will have a positive effect on the local economy. "I can see many opportunities for base workers to take advantage of this day off to volunteer for many worthwhile community projects," he said. "This could run the gamut from volunteering in their children's schools to working with local social service or- ganizations. "Many employees can also use this extra day to pursue their educational goals." ur tions such as firefighters, command post, control center, shipping and receiving and those organizations providing tenant support, will not participate in the CWS. Additionally, some Hill tenant organizations, including the 6545th Test Group and Defense Logistics Agency, and some civilian contractors have an alternate work schedule due to mission requirements and will not be on the same CWS as the rest of the base. Operations at the Utah Test and Training Range will not change as a result of the compressed work schedule. Cases of employees with verified medical hardships who are unable to work the new CWS will be reviewed on an individual basis. "We recognize that changing the work schedule for the Ogden ALC could create some problems for others," Thompson said. "The plus factors far outweigh the negatives and I am assured by many community leaders that the new schedule will be beneficial to many Utahns." Base officials said that military members of the logistics center and those tenant units using CWS will be able to follow the same work schedule as their civilian counterparts in most instances. Based on changing mission requirements, however, they are subject to recall by their organizations. Combat Strength Through Logistics Hilltop Times Published by MorMedia. Inc.. a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Hilltop Times are not necessarily the official views of.' or endorsed by. the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or MorMedia, Inc. of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age. marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office staff. Bldg. 1102. Room 118. Ext77321.' Kill AFB Editorial Maj. Gen. Dalt W. Thompson Jr Ma. Wad. J. Habshty Marilu A. Trainor Gary Hatch SSgt. Barbara Fisher Frances Kosakowsky Staff: Commander, OO-AL- C Director, Public Affairs Chief, Internal Information Editor Assistant editor Staff writer Deadlines: Editorial and "around the hill" items, noon Thursday, week before publication; sports articles, noon Monday, week of publication; classified ads, 2 p.m. Wednesday, week of publication. For more information, call the editors, Exts. 7732177322. |
