According to a press release from the U.S. Air Force, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on July 11, 2022, to inaugurate the 31st Maintenance Group corrosion control facility renovation project at Aviano Air Base (Aviano AB) in Italy.
The $1.6-million renovated corrosion control facility will enable Airmen to accomplish multiple full-scale aircraft paint jobs simultaneously, all while saving money.
“The renovations and new equipment will allow many more paint jobs to be completed, and at a higher quality,” says Karen Maraschino, projects and facilities manager for the 31st Maintenance Group. “It reduces the [aircraft] downtime from two to three months to two weeks, and it saves $60,000 for each full-scale paint job, which is a win-win.”
According to the Air Force, this world-class facility includes an aircraft wash facility; small parts paint booth; and separate clean and dirty rooms. The facility is also equipped with a new sprinkler; foam fire suppression systems; a generator; a ventilation system; and a plenum door for laminar air flow.
“Our team can now have an aircraft in the wash bay, paint bay and sanding bay at the same time, comparable to world-class corrosion control facilities,” Maraschino says. “The new paint booth enables us to accept more requests as well as have faster turnaround times.”
Through these additions, Aviano AB was able to remove a permissible deviation waiver for the airfield and reduce the building footprint by two buildings.
“Despite the long hours, meetings, inspections and challenges, everyone involved overcame these hurdles to complete this big project,” Maraschino concludes.
The 31st CE Engineering Flight, Fire Department, MXS Fabrication Flight, and MXG Facilities Team all worked together to complete the new corrosion control facility, which is designed to have a significant impact on Aviano’s mission while keeping more jets in the air.
Source: Aviano Air Base, www.aviano.af.mil.