Deployed maintenance squadron readies refueling aircraft
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To achieve their mission and maintain a significant 98 percent departure reliability rate, 385th EAMXS personnel overcomes several challenges. The departure reliability rate is the percentage of sorties that are launched on schedule, without maintenance delays.
"To maintain such a high departure reliability rate requires dedication, hard work and thoroughness in the maintenance practices of the Airmen who made this happen - they must get good fixes on the first try," said Capt. P. Scott Corman, 385th EAMXS commander.
EAMXS Airmen also directly contribute to the global war on terrorism in Southwest Asia.
"Our mission is critical to supporting operations both in Afghanistan and Iraq," Captain Corman said. "Strategic airlift going into and out of the theater requires aerial refueling to operate and that's what we provide 24-7."
The squadron, which is comprised of 72 Airmen from 12 Air Force specialty codes and several bases, illustrates the total-force concept in action.
The lead unit, from McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., arrived with three aircraft and about 50 percent of the squadron's Airmen, most of whom have nearly completed their 60-day commitment, which started in September.
During the first 30 days, Airmen and aircraft from MacDill AFB, Fla., are replaced with almost two dozen Airmen and one aircraft from Robins AFB, Ga. A handful of maintainers and one aircraft from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, United Kingdom, are also here on 30-day tours. Guardsmen from Pittsburgh, Tennessee and Ohio, and Reservists from McConnell AFB, round out this diverse team.
"The leadership, professionalism and technical competence of our mid-level NCOs combines with the energy and enthusiasm of our young Airmen to create a synergy that just works," said Captain Corman. "Reservists and guardsmen are a fully and seamlessly integrated part of that team, and they have a lot of experience they bring to the team."
But every team has its challenges. The squadron's schedule is in constant flux as it is primarily dictated by the flying schedules of their "customers" (the aircraft they refuel). Additionally, the high operations tempo of maintaining several aircraft and a weekly average of 35 three-hour sorties, 106 flying hours and the delivery of about 2.4 million pounds of fuel are just some of the challenges these Airmen face.
"Equipment limitations and limited supplies are perhaps our greatest obstacles, yet these challenges yield some unique rewards," Captain Corman said.
At home station, heavy maintenance tasks are usually performed during a span of several shifts. This allows maintainers only a small glimpse of the whole repair process.
"Here, Airmen may perform a huge job like overhauling a landing gear, replacing a fuel cell or changing an engine and one team gets the whole job," said Senior Master Sgt. Mark Clegg, 385th EAMXS superintendent. "It's a big task, but seeing it through to the end [helps Airmen] know they are part of the process that helps the aircraft get back out there to accomplish the mission."
"The environment we work in requires 12-hour shifts, sometimes more, and labor intensive work, but seeing these tasks through to completion makes it worth it," added Captain Corman. "For the Airmen, it's a great sense of accomplishment to tear an aircraft down so heavily, then build it back up and see it fly."
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