Pope Air Force Base

Special Operations Squadron store materials for armory storage, scuba storage, aircrew flight efficiently and securely with Spacesaver's mobile storage system

SITUATION:

A Special Operations Squadron at Pope Air Force Base located on Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina built several new buildings to house expanded operations and incorporated dozens of Spacesaver systems throughout many areas.

SOLUTION:

Within a new special squadron facility that provides support and supply functions, unique storage solutions were designed into seven areas to optimize space utilization, improve organization and maximize control and security. Areas include the Material Control, Armory, Air Crew Life Support, and Scuba. The Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Material Control remarked,"Special Operations is growing and taking on a new, more multi-faceted role within the military. To support our squadron, we built a new building with state-of-the-art facilities and security and we felt it was important to invest in better storage throughout the building."

Material Control

The general supplies area also required a better storage solution for the wide range of highly specialized and uniquely sized items, including both bulk and small materials. Now, everything from large bulletproof vests and ruck sacs to small items like patches and insignia items are carefully stored in the mobile system. To satisfy the unique equipment requirements, a wide range of storage solutions were incorporated. Drawers are used to house small items while standard shelving houses medium sized items.

"The Spacesaver system helps us to better store our bulk items as well as our smaller items," explained the NCOIC. "When we deploy we can quickly locate what is needed and get them their supplies."

Armory Storage

With strict security and accountability requirements in military weapons rooms, managing the armory is no small task. In the previous facility at Pope, wooden weapon racks nearly filled the steel vault and accessories were stored separately in several different drawers. There was no security within the room and weapon kits had to be assembled as needed. Consequently, anytime someone entered the room, a complete inventory had to be done to account for every piece of equipment.

Now, with a Spacesaver mobile system inside the vault, all of the weapons are organized and secure. The Sergeant in charge of the area is able to preassemble weapons with all of the necessary components needed. When there is a rapid deployment, kits are simply pulled from the shelves and assigned to military personnel.

Security is no longer an issue either. With all of the weapons and components stored inside the mobile system, it is simply rolled together and kept locked at all times; thereby satisfying double-lock requirements.

Aircrew Life Support

When storing critical and expensive items for aircrew life support such as oxygen and oxygen consoles, helmets, masks and night vision systems it is important to be sure that items are stored safely and securely. "I am a one-man shop and when there is a deployment I need to get to things quickly and know that equipment is in good condition," said the NCOIC of Life Support. "I manage more than $1 million dollars worth of equipment and the Spacesaver system helps to not only save me space, but also keep everything locked down and secure."

Scuba Support

For scuba gear, special high-density storage solutions allow for hanging scuba vests and suits, and bulk storage of tanks and air support systems.