#IAMIMSC: Robert Henkel
Duty title and unit: Basing and Beddown Facility Program Manager, AFIMSC Detachment 7, JBSA-Randolph, Texas
Primary duty responsibilities: I assist Air Education and Training Command in the planning and programming of facilities for the future assets of AETC. I work the T-7A Red Hawk (the T-38 replacement), the MH-139 Grey Wolf (the NH-1 replacement) and the new Combat Rescue Helicopter. We work with the bases to identify the military construction and facilities sustainment, restoration and modernization (FSRM) facilities needed to beddown the new assets. I am also the liaison to five AETC bases and geographically separated units, assisting civil engineer squadrons and mission support groups.
What’s the best part of your job?
I truly feel that the work we are doing is planning the facilities and aircraft assets of the future for many decades.
Why are you and your job important to the Air Force and AFMC?
The aircraft assets that we help beddown will train the future Airmen of the Air Force. The facilities we work with the bases to plan and program will make a significant impact in the quality training environment Airmen will have for decades to come.
What’s a recent project that gave you a great sense of accomplishment?
Throughout the COVID timeframe, we have conducted virtual site surveys and site activation task forces to numerous bases to help plan and program the required military construction and FSRM facility projects to support new aircraft assets. While this was not always ideal, the flexibility it created actually made it faster and easier to incorporate lessons learned from one site visit into the site visits of the other bases, to include those already accomplished.
Any claims to fame?
I am a retired Air Force civil engineer officer; three times base civil engineer and two times RED HORSE. I have been married to my lovely wife, Cindy, for 33 years and we have two adult children (and one daughter-in-law) and two grandchildren. I owned my own consulting business for eight years and my son and I ran another for about four years.
Which AFIMSC value do you identify with the most and why?
I have always identified with the straight-forward value of integrity – your word is your bond. When you answer a question, answer it honestly and completely. When you say you’re going to do something – do it. And do the right thing, even if nobody is looking.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
I have always valued family. I was raised in a close-knit family, my parents have been married for 68 years, and my in-laws were married for 60 years when my father in-law passed away last year. Through this COVID timeframe, we have had seven family members through four generations living in our household. And the military, along with church and other personal friends, have really seen us through good and rough times. We have multiple experiences to include going through COVID with care-taking for my parents, to my wife and my brother both getting COVID.