Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. -- WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. – The Air Force Repair Enhancement Program at Whiteman Air Force Base is in the business of saving the Air Force money, and right now, business is booming.
The program, which specializes in restoring legacy components, often slated for disposal, has achieved an 11-year high in cost savings, generating $2.1 million in fiscal year 2024 and $1.5 million in credits so far in 2025 by repairing nonfunctional equipment.
That money is put to good use elsewhere across the base. Funds generated by AFREP have been reinvested in Whiteman AFB, supporting a variety of initiatives within the 509th Maintenance Group, including new equipment and facility upgrades.
This fiscal year, AFREP credits have funded $340,000 for 509th Force Support Squadron contracts, $36,000 for cold weather gear for the 509th Medical Group and 509th Bomb Wing command post, $215,000 for a new storage system for the 509th Maintenance Squadron, and $24,000 for secure communication devices for the 393rd Bomber Generation Squadron.
Most AFREP technicians come from aircraft maintenance career fields. To expand their skill sets to include working on electronic components, they go through a seven-week Naval Sea Systems Command Micro/Miniature Solder Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. They can fix a broad range of equipment from electronic circuit boards and hydraulic pumps to medical equipment and printers.
"Although our technicians specialize in electronics repair, we're not limited to those assets," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Nathan Atkinson, 509th Bomb Wing Air Force Repair Enhancement Program manager. "We've successfully repaired numerous mechanical components, returning them to full operational status for various work centers."
The program also utilizes 3D printing with computer-aided design software to create custom parts. This technology enables rapid prototyping, custom parts creation, and efficient production of complex designs, all while reducing waste and production costs.
In addition to generating funds, AFREP has saved $519,000 this year by refurbishing components for units across the base.
AFREP has contributed to $6 million in savings across Air Force Global Strike Command in fiscal year 2025, while also ensuring that warfighters have access to the equipment they need to accomplish their mission, ensuring that they are ready for anything… anytime, anywhere.