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YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan — During the recent U.S. Air Force's 2025 Department-Level Exercise series involving more than 400 joint and coalition aircraft and 12,000 personnel across 50 locations, fleet services personnel from the 730th Air Mobility Squadron played a critical role in sustaining mobility operations at Yokota Air Base by ensuring aircraft were clean, stocked, and ready to support global airlift missions.
Fleet services manages sanitation and comfort items aboard both military and contracted commercial aircraft. Their work directly supports aircrew readiness and passenger safety, which is even more critical during high-tempo operations like the DLE due to compressed flight schedules, increasing the demand for rapid aircraft turnaround
“It's kind of like a symphony with everybody working together,” said U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Ethan Steward, 730th AMS passenger services representative. “We are a lot of different sections working together as one to get one aircraft off the ground while there's a myriad of other aircraft also coming in and needing to be serviced.”
The section is divided into two primary components: clean fleet and dirty fleet. Clean fleet provides potable water refills, handwashing supplies, meal deliveries, and replenishment of insulated water containers that crews rely on for hydration during long flights. Dirty fleet is responsible for lavatory servicing and waste removal, using specialized vehicles and protective equipment to ensure each aircraft meets cleanliness and hygiene standards prior to departure.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas McIntosh, 730th AMS passenger services supervisor, emphasized strict separation is maintained between clean and dirty operations. Even with full protective gear, personnel are not permitted to alternate between clean and dirty duties on the same shift to avoid cross-contamination. This strict protocol was especially crucial as the surge in aircraft activity during the DLE presented unique logistical challenges.
To meet exercise demands, Fleet Services coordinated closely with the Air Terminal Operations Center. This communication ensured alignment with flight schedules, allowing the team to react quickly to changes and maximize support efficiency.
Fleet Services also plays a direct role in supporting aircrew morale and focus. A well-stocked, clean aircraft helps maintain mission effectiveness, especially on long sorties.
“It's about ensuring the comfort of those on board,” McIntosh said. “If they're on a long flight, [aircrew] need to be able to use the restroom, wash their hands, and stay hydrated. We're making sure they have what they need to get where they need to go.”
According to U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Adrian Liendo, 92nd Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, Fleet Services provides him peace of mind before long missions.
“Having Fleet Services take care of the jet before takeoff makes sure I am able to focus solely on the mission without having to worry if I have potable water or a clean bathroom to use,” said Liendo.
Behind the scenes, Fleet Services provides the essentials for global mobility. Their attention to detail, whether it’s delivering fresh water or managing waste systems, ensures aircraft remain mission-ready and crews stay focused. During DLE 2025, their work wasn’t just about cleanliness and comfort. It was a vital piece of the larger effort to keep the joint force moving across the Indo-Pacific theater. In the chaos of large-scale operations, the 730th AMS brought order, reliability, and support — one aircraft at a time.
| Date Taken: | 07.24.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.13.2025 11:42 |
| Story ID: | 544590 |
| Location: | YOKOTA AIR BASE, JP |
| Web Views: | 11 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Comfort amid chaos: 730th AMS Fleet Services sustains mobility operations during Department-Level Exercise 2025, by A1C Samantha Thorn, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
