Auto Skills Center offers Airmen an affordable alternative

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Frank Bagley, 30th Civil Engineer Squadron contractor and former Marine, works on his 1956 baby blue Chevrolet 3100 at the Auto Skills Center here July 30. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Andrew Satran)

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Auto Skills Center offers Airmen an affordable alternative

Published Aug. 12, 2008
By Airman 1st Class Wesley Carter
30th Space Wing Public Affairs

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- There are many benefits of being an Airman. The medical benefits, free housing and something people might not know about - the Vandenberg Auto Skills Center.

The auto center allows Airmen to maintain, restore and fix vehicles with minimal costs. This is a huge advantage compared to some of the prices one might find outside of the base.

"The auto hobby shop has been a huge benefit to me," said Airman 1st Class Mike Mrozovich, a 30th Logistics Readiness Squadron apprentice. "I bought a cheap car and have been able to fix it and do regular maintenance on it fairly easily."

If an Airman isn't mechanically inclined or doesn't have the tools, they shouldn't fret. The shop has tools available for Airmen to use, as well as a very knowledgeable staff to help with your automotive questions.
"The only thing I had to pay was the price to rent the bay, which was very cheap," Airman Mrozovich said.
What is unique about the hobby shop is that it not only allows Airmen to fix vehicles, but it gives them the opportunity to learn about their vehicle.

"They have information on just about any vehicle," said Airman Mrozovich. "The car I drive, being foreign, is not made just like the cars that I grew up around. At the auto shop I am able to figure out exactly how it works."

The shop can also work as a buffer between Airmen and cars that can be seen as-less desirable.

"I was about to buy a car, and I took it to the auto shop and ran a diagnostic test with one of their computers and found out it was falling apart on the inside," said Airman Steven Hernandez, a 30th Contracting Squadron specialist. "They saved me a lot of money."

Any Airman who owns a car, or is looking to purchase one, should take advantage of one of Vandenberg's hidden resources. For more information, call 606-6014 or stop by Wednesday-Friday from 3-10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 12-7 p.m.