NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — Airmen and all DOD ID cardholders who may be car enthusiasts, mechanics or just like working on their vehicles in general will now have access to work on their vehicles at the new Auto Skills Self-Help Center that the 99th Force Support Squadron will be opening April 28.
Lt. Col. Cristin Goerlitz, 99th FSS commander, says the opening was brought about after Airmen brought it to the squadron’s attention.
“Airmen across Nellis highlighted the need for a location to do minor maintenance on their vehicles as a quality of life issue,” said Goerlitz. “In response to this feedback, the 99th Air Base Wing and 99th FSS looked for avenues to address this concern.”
In the past, Airmen would need to speak with dorm management to have access to the Auto Skills Center, but now with the re-opening, the Auto Skills Center will have an attendant on duty during its hours of business as well as other additions.
“Previously, dorm residents were able to sign out a key from the dorm manager to utilize an empty bay in the old auto skills building,” said Goerlitz. “Expanding this operation, we include access to lifts and allow all Nellis and Creech personnel eligible for morale, welfare and recreation activities to use this service.”
The hours of operation for the new auto skills self-help center will be Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and available to all DOD ID cardholders. The center will feature three vehicle bays with two lifts.
“We’re bringing the Auto Skills, or a version of it, back because Airmen identified the need,” said Goerlitz. “The 99th FSS will continue to look for ways to improve the services offered at Nellis but we need everyone’s feedback to ensure we’re focusing on the things that matter most to Nellis and Creech Airmen and their families.”
The main goal for the 99th FSS is for Airmen to have a safe place to work on their vehicle and is more cost effective than auto self-help shops in the Las Vegas area.
“(We want) to provide a safe and climate controlled environment for you to work on your car,” said Maynard Florence, 99th FSS Airman and Family Services flight chief. “Whether you like to work on your vehicle for fun or to save money, the skills center will provide that space.
The cost to rent a bay will be five dollars an hour. The Auto Skills Self-Help Center will be located at Bldg. 840, which is located behind the CES headquarters building. For more information, call the 99th FSS at 702-652-7267.