Photo By Airman 1st Class Rachel Howell | U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kwaku Owusu, 23rd Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle...... read more read more
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MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – In early 2025, Moody Air Force Base’s only 3,000-gallon crash truck broke down, and the timing could not have been at a worse time. Most of the 23rd Logistics Readiness Squadron’s seasoned mechanics were deployed, with the vehicle maintenance shop operating at just 45 percent manning while still keeping Moody’s 443-vehicle fleet operational.
The vehicle, a 2015 Oshkosh Striker Global 3000 valued at $680,000, relied on a Deutz TCD2015V08 engine. To replace it, the shop ordered a new engine from Germany, and the shipment took three months to arrive. Once it reached the U.S., Customs evaluated and held it for several more weeks before finally making it to Moody.
Once it arrived, it was game time. With no technical manual to guide them, the team adapted and built their own process by pulling information from multiple sources. They logged an estimated 960 manhours on the job and installed $76,000 worth of replacement parts. By doing the work in house, they avoided off-base labor costs that could have exceeded $100,000.
“This is the first time that anything like this has been done on such a huge engine swap like this,” said Lt. Col. Derek Dillard, 23rd LRS commander. “To get this wing back to its optimal levels of service for firefighting capability, they’ve been taking time on labeling everything, taking a lot of pictures, using colored zip ties to really know how to put this puzzle back together. So huge kudos to them.”
Despite the obstacles, Tech. Sgt. James Hajek, 23rd LRS Vehicle Maintenance section chief, said the project turned into a valuable teaching opportunity for newer Airmen.
“Every step of the way was challenging,” he said. “We had to come up with a solution for everything, from using an overhead crane provided by the 71st to coordinating schedules, to adapting instructions for this unique engine. It was all about doing it quickly, efficiently and safely.”
Hajek continued to explain that the detailed notes taken during the project will also serve as a roadmap if the job ever has to be repeated.
“Angel (Perez), our primary technician, was able to pass on experience in ways that wouldn’t have been possible without a job this large,” he said. “Everything from engine fundamentals to tool accountability and safety procedures was involved. Hopefully this is a one-time job, but if it ever has to be done again, the next team will have a roadmap to follow.”
Even though there was an intense focus on the fire truck throughout this repair timeframe, maintainers still had to juggle other critical mission tasks.
“It’s not just fire trucks they focused on,” Dillard said. “It’s all the material handling equipment, loaders and refuelers. So anytime this wing has to deploy or just as a generic flying hour program, these individuals are key in making sure this Moody Air Force Base is successful.”
He added that their performance under pressure showcased the team’s adaptability and mission-first mindset.
“Our maintainers proved they can innovate under pressure and keep the mission moving no matter the obstacles,” Dillard said.
The project brought Crash 12 back to life, but it also showed that even with limited manpower, no technical guide, and mounting obstacles, Moody’s maintainers could innovate, adapt and succeed. In doing so, they not only restored a critical firefighting asset but also strengthened their team, grew their Airmen and reaffirmed their vital role in keeping the mission on track.
| Date Taken: | 10.27.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 10.27.2025 14:43 |
| Story ID: | 550476 |
| Location: | MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 60 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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