New store leaves office needs in short supply

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kristopher Levasseur
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The Lakenheath Base Service Store, which is located in Bldg. 1035, opened up to Liberty Wing government purchase cardholders recently.

The store was created to cut down on online and local purchases and stocks supplies from office and janitorial supplies to packaging and some hardware supplies. The store, which is located in the main Logistics Readiness Squadron building, provides a variety of products to support all customers

"The purpose of the base service store is to provide a more convenient, efficient and cost-effective method of providing supplies to the customers at RAF Lakenheath and surrounding bases," said Senior Master Sgt. Keith Madison, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron Material Management Flight chief.

The store currently has more than 300 items in stock, but customers can use the referral process to place an order for any of the 3,000 items available through the Government Supply Agency.

"The store will provide database terminals where customers can review, compare and research all items available from GSA," said Sergeant Madison.

Having a central location for GSA supplies can reduce the customer wait time on common use supplies from weeks to minutes, said Sergeant Madison. In addition, items in the store meet mandatory source requirements.

Master Sgt. David Reese, 48th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Strike Weapons Aircraft Maintenance Unit GPC cardholder, said he had to shop for supplies at the Lakenheath Base Exchange, GSA Online store, local suppliers and online sources. Now, most of the items he needs are available in the quantities he needs, without having to stockpile certain items.

"The new base service store was created to improve support to the RAF Lakenheath community," said Sergeant Madison. "The success of the store is very dependent on customer use, so we ask that people stop by and see how much easier and convenient it is to have this service available locally."

For more information, call the base service store at 226-5479.