Self-help gets you prepared to repair

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Holly Cook
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Have you ever been shoveling snow at work and noticed you have no salt for the sidewalk? Well, the civil engineer self-help store is here to assist you with your work center needs.

The store carries items ranging from power tools to seasonal supplies, such as ground salt during the winter or grass seed for the spring; for free.

"We provide everything that a squadron would need for repairs," said Holger Graf, self-help store manager. "The building's facility manager or first shirt just comes, signs in and selects the products they need."

The self-help store staff provides quality service and materials to squadrons to help make Ramstein a beautiful and fully functional base.

"We supply the squadrons all the products like trash bags and ground salt to make their squadrons clean and safe," said Graf.

Having a wide selection of free products makes it easier for squadrons around base to complete their remodeling or cleaning projects.

"We are remodeling our bathroom in my squadron," said Tech. Sgt. Claudia Tobin, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa air communications clinical support technician. "It's a work in progress but the store has given us everything we need to complete it."

Assisting squadrons on base starts with quality customer service, and the staff provides each customer help from the moment they walk through the door.

"As soon as you walk in, one of the workers will help you with the signing-in process," said Tobin. "There's always someone there to greet you at the door. If it's your first time coming in they will walk you step by step through the ... process and tell you how to select the products you need."

The store gives Ramstein the materials and knowledge needed to have safe, functional and beautiful work centers.

"It's always a pleasant experience going to the store," said Tobin. "They give you the entire package of products that you need."

For those needing help in their squadrons, the self-help store is open from 7 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 to 4 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 7 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 to 2:45 p.m. Fridays. For more information call 480-5034.