Photo By Senior Airman Rebecca Tierney | U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brett Miller supervises Airman 1st Class Pedro Cano Chavez,...... read more read more
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. — From sedans to excavators, the 163d Logistics Readiness Squadron’s Vehicle Management Flight manages and maintains a variety of vehicles that enable the wing to generate combat airpower. The flight ensures Airmen have safe, reliable government-owned vehicles by managing day-to-day fleet operations such as safety inspections, routine maintenance and vehicle readiness.
Behind every MQ-9 Reaper aircraft sortie lies an intricate network of transportation operations. Vehicle management specialists oversee more than 140 assets. Airmen fulfill transportation requests from units across the wing to include general purpose vehicles as well as heavy machinery.
“It’s a challenging but rewarding career field,” said Master Sgt Terrence Mananes, vehicle management flight superintendent. “Airmen are not only responsible for their primary role of maintaining vehicles, but also dealing with hazardous materials and ensuring quality assurance standards are met.”
For Airmen new to the flight, the mission is revealed through on-the-job training. Starting at the apprentice skill level, newcomers work to familiarize themselves with daily operations required to support the diverse needs of the installation.
“Transitioning from technical school to the operational unit wasn’t difficult but the approach is different here,” said Airman 1st Class Pedro Cano Chavez, vehicle equipment maintenance apprentice. “It’s different doing things hands on versus reading a book.”
Chavez said the career field requires continuous training to stay proficient on the wide variety of vehicles and equipment maintained by the flight.
“Knowing that we are able to keep these vehicles maintained and running feels good. I know that the work doesn’t go unnoticed,” Chavez said. “We’re kind of like the doctors for vehicles, we never stop learning.”
The vehicle management team provides the mobility that is crucial to supporting the 163d Attack Wing’s mission of generating lethal combat airpower. By ensuring vehicles are mission-ready at all times, the team helps equipment and Airmen arrive where they need to be in a safe and timely manner.
| Date Taken: | 08.05.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2026 18:05 |
| Story ID: | 571808 |
| Location: | MORENO VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Moving the Wing: The Vehicle Management Mission, by SrA Rebecca Tierney, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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