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JB Charleston upgrades the AF, one vehicle at a time

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tom Brading
  • Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Joint Base Charleston was selected to be part of the testing phase for an innovative new way to improve vehicle operations.

Automotive Information Module, second generation, manufactured by the Syn-Tech Corporation, is an on-board vehicle computer interface used for automatic maintenance and odometer data acquisition. The 'easy to install' system was first introduced to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. in 2009.

"Three years ago, the first generation of AIM testing began on vehicles at JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst," said Master Sgt. Alejandro Correa, Air Force Headquarters AIM2 program manager at Joint Base Langley-Eustis Air Force Base, Va. "The project started with 20 vehicles and was so successful that today, it has ballooned to more than 400 government vehicles."

AIM technology has been successful for many reasons; vehicle operators know exactly how much fuel is being used and the mileage reports are always accurate. Before AIM, the government vehicle operators were the only unknown variable in accurate data collecting. If a driver was in a hurry and entered their mileage incorrectly in the Fuel Management Unit before fueling a vehicle, the information flawed the data.

According to Correa, the simple AIM2 upgrade to present fuel station infrastructure eliminates the human factor associated with Vehicle Identification Link keys. This will save more than 1.5 million work hours across all functional areas by instituting this technology.

"The technology will improve vehicle operations, automate the fueling process, identify potential savings and improve maintenance procedures," said Correa.

"JB Charleston is leading the way for tomorrow's Air Force," said Correa. "These ambitious vehicle upgrades will eventually be implemented Department of Defense wide. The joint basing at JB Charleston also offers a unique opportunity to work with multiple services on the Air Base and Weapons Station."

AIM2 testing is scheduled to begin at JB Charleston in August 2012 and if successful, the program is scheduled to go Air Force-wide in October 2012.