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Maintainers keep the Stratotanker airborne

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mackenzie Richardson
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Every aircraft in the Air Force has two names painted on the side of it - the pilot's and the crew chief's. It's typically the pilot - a highly trained, college-educated officer - who pops into people's minds when they think of the Air Force and the planes it flies. But, the reality is, it's the crew chief - often a young, high-school graduate - who is in charge of making sure the aircraft is fully operational and ready to go at a moment's notice, and who the pilot trusts with their life.

The 92nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, part of the 92nd Maintenance Group and home to most crew chiefs in the wing, specializes in making sure 92nd Air Refueling Wing aircraft here are maintained from nose to tail, and takes responsibility for the integrity and safety of each aircraft.

The 92nd AMXS comprises more than 450 total force active duty and Washington Air National Guard personnel and works closely with the 92nd Maintenance Squadron. These enlisted, officer and civilian personnel are vital to the mission. Members of the 92nd AMXS perform scheduled inspections, unscheduled maintenance, component repair and also are responsible for ground handling of aircraft before and after flight.

For more than 50 years, the KC-135 Stratotanker has provided responsive, precise air refueling and operational support for the full range of military operations, and have been present in the sky over Fairchild AFB since 1958. With the continued innovative efforts of the 92nd AMXS, this aircraft will fuel freedom for decades to come.