100 and counting: 19th Maintenance Squadron celebrates triple-digit milestone
Maj. Gen. George N. Williams, 21st Air Force commander, commended the job done by the 19th.
"What once took 30 days to complete has now been cut down to eight," he said to the audience.
"That is 1,000 extra flying hours that would not have been able to be flown without you. This may not seem like a lot, but it means a lot to our efforts."
2nd Lt. Tim Kelley of the 19th MXS said, since Sept. 11, the 19th has reduced post-PDM first flight to an average of eight days per AMC aircraft.
"With the return of aircraft 86-0012, the 19th MXS will have delivered 13 FMC C-5s to the war fighter since 9-11," said Kelley.
"Teamwork and dedication got this done," said Lt. Col. Robert Lewit, 19th MXS commander. "I thank you all for your efforts."
As a memento, Lewit presented Williams with a 100th C-5 commemorative coin. Several members of the 19th also received coins.
"The 19th has a long and proud history, and this is yet another accolade," said Col. Barbara Faulkenberry, 19th Air Refueling Group commander.
According to Faulkenberry, the history of the 19th began in 1993.
"Our job was to reduce downtime in isochronal inspections," she said.
According to Kelley in January of 1993, AMC identified the adverse impact of aircraft availability and downtime following programmed depot maintenance delivery.
"After an assessment, the 19th MXS, which performed isochronal inspections and field level repairs on C-141s undergoing PDM was created," he said.
In May 1998, a C-5 unit from Kelly Air Force Base, Texas, was officially united with the C-141 unit. The C-141 flight was de-activated in August 2000 leaving only the C-5 unit.
Faulkenberry describes the C-5s that go through program depot maintenance at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center as eagles, with the center serving as veterinarian.
"The 19th's job is to polish the beak and sharpen the talons," she said.
Follow Us On:
