Aircraft maintenance changes occur as wing's mission shifts

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Sam King
  • 919th Special Operations Wing public affairs
DUKE FIELD, Fla. --  A year after taking over maintenance responsibilities for their new C-145A aircraft, Airmen of the 919th Special Operations Maintenance Group now prepare their fleet for the boneyard.

Each group of C-145As that takes its final flight from the Duke Field runway moves the wing further from its previous aircraft mission, and closer to its new nonstandard aviation role.

The 919th SOMXG is sending approximately 10 aircraft to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona between June and August.  The group will retain five to support pilot training and proficiency sorties.

"It seems our maintenance mission is ramping down due to fewer aircraft, but that isn't the case at all," said Maj. Terrell Eikner, 919th SOAMXS commander.  "The operations tempo remains the same.  We just have fewer aircraft to meet those demands."

The 919th Airmen, along with their active-duty counterparts in the 592nd SOAMXS, have become creative with maintenance scheduling and aircraft downtime to continuously provide mission capable aircraft as the C-145s slowly disappear each month.

"The production supervisor, current operations center, and plans and scheduling offices worked together to create a flow chart of the annual flying hour requirements," said Senior Master Sgt. James Sands, 919th SOMXS.  "This provides a forecast of the required maintenance inspections and repairs, and leads to higher mission capable rates. Following set procedures, tech data and integrity ensures quality. This allows us to maintain a constant state of readiness."

The maintenance Airmen who perform the aircraft bed down procedures also prepare the aircraft for operations the next day.

"We have both active and Reserve maintainers covering the maintenance side of the house round the clock," said Sands.  "Our job is making sure the aircraft are airworthy, and we take pride in that tasking.  Our technicians ensure quality and timely repairs as required."

While still providing ready -to-fly C-145s, an entirely new operational mission aircraft is on the horizon for the maintainers.  Nonstandard aviation will be the 919th SOW's primary flying mission next year and the C-146 Wolfhound will be its aircraft.

"We're not slowing down," said Maj. Kevin Kulz, 592nd commander.  "We're just shifting directions."

As they did with the C-145, maintenance group Airmen will begin a from-scratch military training plan to teach maintainers on the larger, faster, more complex C-146.  Just like the C-145, academics and hands-on-training will be done on the job.

"This transition will go smoother this time because we all know now what to expect," said Staff Sgt. Sterling Stewart, 592nd SOAMXS.  "We know to have a training plan, and follow up the maintenance on the aircraft."

In November, active and Reserve instructors will receive the first C-146 maintenance trainer to evaluate their training plans.  Maintenance classes are scheduled to begin in January.