Photo By Staff Sgt. Shanice Ship | A 494th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief inspects the underbelly of an F-15E...... read more read more
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TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla--Deliberately putting oneself in unfamiliar territory can be intimidating. An individual may find growth and prosperity, while another may find the setting for ruin. What separates the two individuals? Is it circumstance, willpower or a combination of both?
Many say it is not the individual at all, but the community of support and influence that pushes each person to achieve his best.
In the U.S. Air Force, many Airmen strive to accomplish their best believing failure is not an option and are unshakeable in the face of any challenges. Among these individuals is the 48th Fighter Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron personnel.
While many military members’ most demanding responsibility may be burning the midnight oil at one’s desk, maintainers are called to action through frequent 12-hour shifts repairing and securing millions of dollars in U.S. Air Force assets, no matter the circumstance.
They are committed to the units and aircraft they support which sometimes mean frequent temporary duty assignments and deployments away from home. This dedication to the mission can also be seen through their performance during countless exercises that require them to operate in unknown territory. Exercise Checkered Flag 19-1 proved to be the vehicle of growth for many 48th AMXS Airmen May 6-17.
“It can be challenging to be placed in a different work environment but the job remains the same and we get it done,” said Senior Airman Bryan Hernandez, a crew chief assigned to the 48th AMXS. “It’s especially challenging when there are inexperienced Airmen on the team, but this is why TDYs and training exercises can be great.”
Checkered Flag is a large-force exercise that fosters interoperability through the incorporation of fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft in combat training.
For 48th AMXS Airmen, this is also a chance to mentor their peers and sharpen their skills through troubleshooting any deficiencies and learning new skills according to Hernandez.
“There will be a problem, but fixing problems is what we do whether that’s with the aircraft, equipment or logistics,” Hernandez said. “As maintainers, we have a huge responsibility to care for these very expensive assets and even more importantly, the lives of the aircrew operating them.”
This tremendous liability is shared by all maintainers, no matter the component in which they support aircrew members. A small misplaced bolt could spell disaster in flight costing the flight crew their lives.
According to Hernandez, every maintainer is aware of this enormous responsibility and holds an immense amount of trust and respect for each other when caring for their aircraft, regardless of the demands that accompany their commitment to serve their unit.
Large exercises and some deployments promote the integration of numerous units across the force, leaving the potential for logistic hurdles and challenges. Hernandez and his peers utilize this training opportunity to test their mettle, he said.
“I remember what it’s like to be a new Airman fresh from technical training school on my first TDY...it’s nerve-wracking,” he said. “Still, we look forward to embracing any obstacles because we can rely on the experienced Airmen for mentorship. You also become more aware and develop more precision when it comes to small details.”
According to Master Sgt. Robert Parsons, lead production superintendent assigned to the 48th AMXS, these challenges are a welcomed opportunity to practice rapid problem-solving skills, promote flexibility to ensure mission success and strengthen the sense of camaraderie within the unit.
“The ability to adapt to and work in any environment is crucial, as the nature of any mission may change,” Parsons said. “These Airmen don’t hesitate to get their hands dirty whether that’s out on the flightline doing their job or helping other units.”
In this exercise another component of the 48th Maintenance Group, had the opportunity to load live ammunition and expand their knowledge-base.
“We get to load live ammunition and do some in-depth training with the pilots,” said Tech. Sgt. Christhian Hernandez, a weapons load-crew team chief assigned to the 48th AMXS. “It's a great sense of accomplishment for the load crew team to load the ammunition and see it not come back.”
Some may say that with any organization, it takes the delicate balance of trust and teamwork to ensure productivity.
“Our team is a tight-knit family by nature because, in weapons, we always work in groups of three,” Hernandez said. “The knowledge and expertise that we’ve gained here working with each other and members of the wing adds the skills that make us a force to contend with at RAF Lakenheath. Each additional skill we acquire makes us that much more advanced and prepared for anything.”
| Date Taken: | 05.17.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.17.2019 15:03 |
| Story ID: | 322833 |
| Location: | TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 313 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 48th Fighter Wing maintainers fit to fight, by SSgt Shanice Ship, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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