Kroeschell Answers the Call to Help America's Healing Heroes

As one of the nation’s preeminent military facilities, Andrews Air Force Base plays a critical role both in peacetime and during conflict. Whether it’s maintaining Air Force One or caring for America’s wounded returning from battle, this base on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. never rests. So when monitoring systems indicated that a key transformer at the base’s hospital was quickly losing power, there was little time to react.

The Challenge
When officials at Andrews Air Force Base were informed of a change in functionality of a main transformer on the base, word spread quickly of a potential large-scale problem. Four elevators, as well as medical air and vacuum pumps, rely on this transformer, and the hospital and its patients require this equipment. Without it, patients cannot be transported, procedures would have to be cancelled and America’s wounded brave would have to wait for their much-deserved care. While the unit had been slated for replacement, the sudden change in performance indicated that there was no time to wait. So with the clock already ticking, the base made the call for help.

When no local providers were available to respond, the base contacted the Air Force Medical Operations Agency in San Antonio, Texas, and they called Kroeschell, who had already proved their worth, assisting many other national bases with critical mechanical and electrical needs.

The Solution
Bill Majeski, PE, a senior electrical engineer at Kroeschell, received the word at noon Chicago time. Quickly tapping Kroeschell’s national network of reliable partners and contractors, Majeski soon located a suitable transformer within 30 minutes of the base. With the unit en route, he contacted a trusted sub-contractor to assemble a local team and bought a one-way ticket heading east.

Majeski arrived at 9 p.m. to inspect the new transformer and was joined by the local crew at 10 p.m. Work quickly began in earnest to replace the failing unit. Despite the distance and the demanding time constraints, by 3 a.m., the new transformer was online. Returning to Chicago the next afternoon, Majeski completed the job by providing assessment of the initial failure so that future issues could be avoided.

The Results
The morning of the replacement, patients and staff returned to business as usual, with no delays in the care of America’s brave men and women. Appointments were kept, critical services were delivered and few had reason to suspect that a Herculean effort had been made on their behalf. However, top brass knew different, and in recognition of a job well done, they approved a special honor for the man who headed the team.

Lt. Colonel Jaime Rosado presented Majeski with two commemorative coins—an honor rarely extended to civilian contractors. However, in speaking of the job, which was completed overnight and under budget, Bill Majeski was characteristically modest. “We’re a customer service business,” he explained. “This is what we’re supposed to do.”

Keeping Our Bases Covered
While every job is important, few carry the sense of pride that comes from providing assistance to the exemplary men and women who serve to keep our country free. That pride shows in results that make a difference, time and time again. With successful installations at Sheppard, Luke, and now Andrews Air Force Base, Kroeschell is earning an impressive reputation from people who are hard to impress. “We’re building a reputation as the guys to go to,” explains Majeski, and when the call comes, "we’ll go just about anywhere to put the situation well in hand.”

To see how this dedication and experience can translate into better results on your next project, contact Kroeschell today.