KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa — The adage, “if anything can go wrong, it will,” often holds true for spouses of deployed personnel; it’s called Murphy’s Law of temporary duty assignments.
To combat its effects, Kadena officials have expanded a car care program to include free towing and auto locksmith services to spouses of deployed Air Force personnel.
In recent weeks, hundreds of Kadena personnel have been returning from a three-month deployment as part of Air Expeditionary Force 5, supporting Operations Southern Watch and Enduring Freedom. Hundreds more have been deploying to support AEF 7, which runs through February.
Kadena implemented its Car Care Because We Care program in 1999. Kadena’s Auto Skills Development Center gives free oil changes and safety inspections to spouses of deployed Air Force personnel.
The free towing and locksmith services begin Jan. 2 to further “ease whatever burdens spouses have,” said Gordon Murdock, a marketing representative for Kadena’s 18th Services Squadron.
The perception, Murdock said, is if the car was running fine before, it will surely break down during the military member’s absence: Murphy’s Law taking effect.
“When you’re frustrated already from being the sole parent for a long period of time, the last thing you want to do is have to deal with a broken-down car,” said Murdock. “As long as we have troops on AEF deployments, we’ll offer these sorts of services to take away additional worries from these spouses.”
Todd Klinitski, Kadena’s auto center shop foreman, said many people have expressed surprise and gratefulness for the free oil changes and safety inspections.
“It just seems more vehicles tend to have problems, when the active duty person goes on deployment,” Klinitski said.
To obtain the free services, call the auto skills center at 634-1126 to make a service request and tell the staff that your sponsor is deployed. A copy of the deployed servicemember’s orders will be retained on file as the record of payment.
Service requests can be made Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8. p.m., Saturdays 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center is closed on holidays.
