PMEL keeps Barksdale on target

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Benjamin Raughton
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La --  The Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory is responsible for keeping Barksdale's equipment precisely calibrated to achieve optimum accuracy and performance when used properly.

The laboratory has a small staff, but they have an important effect in virtually every area of Barksdale's day-to-day operations.

From medical equipment to B-52H Stratofortress gauges, PMEL ensures that any equipment that can produce a measurement is traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

PMEL knows that accurate test equipment will help ensure the mission is accomplished and lives are safe, but an incorrect reading could spell disaster for a mission. An incorrect reading could mean a pilot believing he is flying at a safe altitude over a mountain when in reality he is dangerously close.

"Attention to detail is prevalent throughout the Air Force," said Ken West, PMEL site manager. "If the equipment isn't calibrated properly, the bombs won't hit their targets."

With more than 120 customers, PMEL never has a shortage of work to go around and recalibration isn't just about keeping important equipment precise, it's fiscal responsibility.

"Sometimes a customer suspects a piece of equipment isn't calibrated right, or the readings are incorrect we can recalibrate it for them," said West. "But some equipment is dated to always be recalibrated every 90 days. If we don't recalibrate it, the equipment can't be used and recalibrating equipment is cheaper than the Air Force purchasing a new unit. However, sometimes we have no choice but to purchase a new unit if it's not one designed to be calibrated."

Barksdale's PMEL has the ability to calibrate more than 7,500 pieces of equipment, and for the one's that cannot be calibrated locally, the equipment is sent to a laboratory that has the appropriate standards necessary to complete the job to meet Air Force calibration requirements.

With decades of experience combined from the staff members, PMEL not only saves the Air Force money, it keeps the bombs on target. It makes sure our Airmen are safe by making sure Barksdale's equipment is reliable.