501st CSW names first Innovator of the Month

  • Published
  • By 501st CSW Public Affairs
RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom --  The 501st Combat Support Wing recently named their first Innovator of the Month.

Col. Brian T. Kelly announced during his May Commander's Calls that the 421st Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Chief, Eric Babcock, was the first recipient of this award.

In an effort to save time and money for the Air Force, Mr. Babcock procured a mobile live-fire trainer for the RAF Menwith Hill fire department.

The mobile live-fire trainer allows the RAF Menwith Hill firefighters to accomplish their necessary training requirements, saving approximately $35,000 a year in annual overtime, TDY and training costs. Previous training had to occur off-site, and relied on other organizations to have time available for the RAF Menwith Hill firefighters to train.

Due to the mobile nature of the trainer, this innovation allows other units within the 501st CSW to utilize the trainer to fulfill their own requirements.

Mr. Babcock's innovation was highlighted as a strength during the 2011 Limited Compliance Inspection, with the inspectors stating that "this innovative trainer prevented training delinquencies and provided RAF Menwith Hill firefighters with local live-fire training capabilities, eliminating the need to travel to off-base facilities.