MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- With record summer temperatures and aging HVAC systems across Maxwell-Gunter, the 42d Civil Engineer Squadron and the 42d Mission Support Group are proving that taking care of Airmen means finding solutions fast.
The heat of this summer placed extraordinary strain on the base’s cooling systems, culminating in what leaders described as a catastrophic system failure at the chiller plant, which supports much of Maxwell’s Academic Circle.
The failures were driven by aging infrastructure and decreased facility sustainment funding.
“FSRM (facility sustainment, restoration and modernization) is basically the money we get to keep things running on the base,” said Greg Rollins, base civil engineer. “In setting priorities, we sometimes end up working systems to complete failure because there are limited dollars to spend.”
Despite these challenges, the 42d CES and their Base Operations Support contracted-partners responded. Temporary pumps were installed at the chiller plant, restoring some cooling to the academic circle and surrounding facilities.
Similar improvements have been made across Maxwell and Gunter Annex where temporary chillers are helping ensure a cooler, safer environment for staff and personnel. For example, at the Squadron Officer School’s Polifka Auditorium, interim systems created more comfortable learning conditions as Air Force captains prepare themselves for field command positions.
Similarly, in cases where temporary equipment wasn’t cost-effective, supervisors were able to authorize situational telework or alternative workspaces to ensure Airmen could continue their missions in safe conditions. This included purchasing portable air conditioning units that bridged the gap to a more permanent solution.
The long-term fix is still underway, with contracted replacement parts expected to arrive by the end of 2025, in preparation of the next cooling season.
Headquarters Air Education Training Command also stepped in to help Maxwell with $1.3 million in additional funding, and the Civil Engineer Maintenance Inspection and Repair Team from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, deployed to Maxwell within a week to assist.
Col. Nate Williams, 42d Mission Support Group commander, praised the efforts of the teams working around the clock.
“These fixes reflect the dedication and ingenuity of our infrastructure teams,” Williams said. “They are working tirelessly to ensure Airmen can focus on the mission, not the temperature, even when long-term solutions take time.”
For now, Airmen, students, and staff across Maxwell-Gunter are seeing proof that taking care of people is a top priority, even in the middle of an Alabama summer.
Editor’s note: If you are experiencing HVAC problems on Maxwell AFB or Gunter Annex, contact the 42d CES help desk at DSN 953-3333 or up channel concerns through the chain of command.