News United States Air Force
 Thinking outside the mailbox: Robins AFB first base to get Intelligent LockersPublished April 3, 2022
                        
                        By Kisha Foster Johnson
                        
                        
                        Robins Air Force Base Public Affairs
                **ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. (AFNS)  --**
                What started out as anAirman’s innovative idea to help his wingmen is now a reality at **Robins Air Force Base**.

The installation held a ribbon cutting ceremony March 30 for its recently installed Intelligent Lockers, giving the Airmen at the dormitories a centralized location to receive their packages after hours.

The lockers started as**an idea presented**by**Senior Airman Ricardo Morales**, 461st Aircraft Maintenance group crew chief, during the 2021 Air Force Installation Maintenance and Mission Support Center Innovation Rodeo. Morales was chosen as the winner, and subsequently, Robins AFB was awarded $235,000 and became the first base to install the Intelligent Lockers at its dorms.

“It makes me so happy to see the lockers are ready to be used by all the Airmen in the dorms,”Morales said. “I'd like to thank everyone who contributed to the implementation of the lockers.”

Morales said the locker idea came to him after noticing fellow Airmen experienced delays in getting their packages because their work schedules conflicted with the limited post office hours on base.

According to Morales, his idea not only saves space in the postal facility but allows Airmen to pick up their mail at a convenient time for them.

Percy Goodloe, 78th Air Base Wing mailroom supervisor, and Airman Darryl Binford, 78th Security Forces Squadron, demonstrate how to retrieve a package from the newly installed Intelligent Lockers at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., March 30, 2022. The lockers are the result of an idea a Robins AFB Airman submitted to the 2021 Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Rodeo to help give Airmen flexibility to pick up parcels at a time that works with their shifting schedules. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kisha Foster Johnson)Percy Goodloe, 78th Air Base Wing mailroom supervisor, and Airman Darryl Binford, 78th Security Forces Squadron, demonstrate how to retrieve a package from the newly installed Intelligent Lockers at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., March 30, 2022. The lockers are the result of an idea a Robins AFB Airman submitted to the 2021 Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Rodeo to help give Airmen flexibility to pick up parcels at a time that works with their shifting schedules. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kisha Foster Johnson)
            
            
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    Senior Airman Ricardo Morales, center right, 461st Aircraft Maintenance Group crew chief, along with leadership from Robins Air Force Base and Fifteenth Air Force cut the ribbon for the newly installed Intelligent Lockers at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., March 30, 2022. Morales secured $235,000 for Robins AFB to pay for the lockers by winning first place for his idea in the 2021 Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Rodeo, a contest that encourages Airmen to develop creative solutions to problems impacting the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kisha Foster Johnson)Senior Airman Ricardo Morales, center right, 461st Aircraft Maintenance Group crew chief, along with leadership from Robins Air Force Base and Fifteenth Air Force cut the ribbon for the newly installed Intelligent Lockers at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., March 30, 2022. Morales secured $235,000 for Robins AFB to pay for the lockers by winning first place for his idea in the 2021 Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Rodeo, a contest that encourages Airmen to develop creative solutions to problems impacting the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kisha Foster Johnson)
            
            
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    Senior Airman Ricardo Morales, 461st Aircraft Maintenance Group crew chief, delivers remarks in front of the new Intelligent Lockers during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., March 30, 2022. Morales was the winner of the 2021 Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Rodeo for developing the idea of the lockers, which would give Airmen flexibility in picking up mail deliveries at a convenient time that works with their shifting schedules. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kisha Foster Johnson)Senior Airman Ricardo Morales, 461st Aircraft Maintenance Group crew chief, delivers remarks in front of the new Intelligent Lockers during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., March 30, 2022. Morales was the winner of the 2021 Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center Innovation Rodeo for developing the idea of the lockers, which would give Airmen flexibility in picking up mail deliveries at a convenient time that works with their shifting schedules. (U.S. Air Force photo by Kisha Foster Johnson)
            
            
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“I couldn't have done it without the support of my local innovation hub and**AFMISC**,” Morales said during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for thenew lockers. “This will improve life for Airmen because they can now retrieve their packages 24/7. Shift workers will now be able to get off their shift and retrieve their package at any time of the day without having to work around the base post office’s limited hours.”

Several members of installation leadership attended the ceremony, including**Col. Rosalie Duarte**,**78th Air Base Wing**vice commander, who gave opening remarks.

“Innovation is a top priority of our Air Force leaders, starting with (Air Force Chief of Staff) **Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr.**,when he demanded that we**accelerate, change, or lose**,” Duarte said. “Here at Robins, we’ve taken this direction on innovation very seriously by empowering ourAirmen – both military and civilian. We truly believe **empowered Airmen**can solve any problem.”

Also in attendance was **Maj. Gen. MichaelKoscheski**,**Fifteenth Air Force**commander.

“This is wonderful,”Koscheski said. “We need to grow that innovative spirit across our force. That is how we are going to accelerate change,” he said. “We have to think our way to a better Air Force, and today is a great example at how we will do that.”

**Col. Michelle Carns**,**461st Air Control Wing**commander, commended Morales for his tenacity.

“This was almost a two-year process,” Carns said. “He never quit, never gave up, and hung in there no matter what he encountered. I love what he did because it was not just about him; it was about the team.

“He wasn’t the only one not getting his mail, and he wanted to do something community-minded,” she continued. “His innovation will improve the quality of life for all Airmen living in the dorms here at Robins.”

Carns said seven other bases have already scheduled Intelligent Lockers to be installed at their facilities and eventually this service will be available across the Air Force.

Morales encourages everyone to put on their thinking caps to bring positive change to the Air Force.

“Innovation has no rank,” he said. “You can still make a difference. Get connected with your local innovation hub so they can help you navigate your idea and provide you with any needed resources. I did this as anAirman 1st Class; you can too.”FS 



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