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Tony Arnold is the manager, and Anthony Luttrell is the automotive mechanic at the shop. Arnold and Luttrell do everything from oil changes to computer diagnostics, exhaust manifold and several other types of repairs.
Whatever your car needs they can do it
Source: U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range (via Facebook)
Photo: Courtesy
The Auto Skills Center at White Sands Missile Range is looking for volunteers and customers. The shop, located at Building 1432 at the corner of Aberdeen Avenue and Dyer Street, is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
They are closed Sundays, Mondays and Holidays.
Tony Arnold is the manager, and Anthony Luttrell is the automotive mechanic at the shop. Arnold and Luttrell do everything from oil changes to computer diagnostics, exhaust manifold and several other types of repairs.
Whatever your car needs they can do it.
“People can come in to drop off their vehicle and if there are two of us in the shop, we can shuttle them back to their home or workplace,” Luttrell said. “For something like an oil change they can usually pick up their vehicle during lunch or after work.”
The shop is open to military members and civilian employees.
With anything other than an oil change Arnold said he usually checks out the vehicle, figures out what it needs, decides what parts are needed and either they can get the parts, or the customer can get them. “Once we have the parts the customer can bring the vehicle back and we can usually have it ready within a day,” Arnold said. Arnold, who has been at the shop for two years, grew up in Southern California. In his early twenties he was hired at his local gas station.
“The owner took me under his wing and gave me a full apprenticeship and helped me get my smog license and made me a manger,” Arnold said. He then worked at other shops, followed by three years at a transmission shop and six years as a fleet mechanic for an air conditioning contractor.
“I’ve got about 40 years of experience.”
After his parents passed away, Arnold said he decided to make the move to New Mexico, where he had family, and eventually came to work at WSMR. Luttrell, who was born and raised in Las Cruces, has been working for Morale, Welfare and Recreation since 2008. He has been here 17 years. He started at the Auto Skills Center as an assistant mechanic and then went to work for Outdoor Recreation for nine years before coming back to the auto shop. He has been there for about five years. Luttrell said his experience in automotive started in the early 2000s.
“My uncle had a shop where they would build hot rods. I started by sweeping floors and would peak my head in to see what they were working on.”
Luttrell then took some classes at the local community college and then came back to the shop. “I love it. I’ve been doing automotive for over ten years, and I really enjoy it.” Arnold said volunteers are always welcome. He said they can help with cleaning out the toolboxes and rearranging them. They can also help by cleaning up around the shop.
“Anyone who wants to come and help is welcome and if they want to learn something I would be willing to show them.” The shop is also open for members of the military and civilian employees who want to come rent a bay and work on their vehicles during operating hours.
You must have a CAC card or military ID to use the facilities.
A flat bay is $3 an hour and a lift is $6 an hour.
Just give them a call at (575) 678-5800 to see if they have an open bay.
They also have a self-serve car wash available and an air hose outside the shop that is available 24 hours a day 7 day a week. They also do vehicle storage for $2 a day or $10 a week.
