Commander hands over the keys, saves bucks

Published May 17, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Christopher Thornbury
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- The 22nd Mission Support Group commander turned in the keys to his government vehicle to save the Air Force money, May 10.

Air Force Logistics Headquarters, is pushing for initiatives to make cuts to save money, and Col. Matthew Benivegna, 22nd MSG commander, took the first step.

"[Col. Benivegna] is the first group commander to give up his vehicle," said 2nd Lt. Raika Clark, 22nd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management flight commander. "He understands the amazing savings it could bring the Air Force."

Each vehicle has a seven-year lease and costs approximately $160-a-month, costing $14,000 overall,and it that doesn't include the service required to keep them running.

"If all group commanders on base gave up their cars, that's about $54,000 saved," said Clark. "This is innovation. That $54,000 can be put toward something else more important, like manpower, and that's just at McConnell."

Group commanders have been required to have staff vehicles since the Air Force began, most likely carried over from when we separated from the Army, said Timmy Hiser, 22nd LRS vehicle management superintendent.

Vehicles must meet an annual mileage of at least 9,000 miles, but most are not used enough to even come close to that requirement.

"This one group commander giving up his vehicle could spark something with the other commanders," said Clark. "Think what this could mean for the Air Force if everyone turned their keys in."