Maintenance easy as 1-2-3: 1 mission 2 be done at 3 places

Published Jan. 26, 2011
By Senior Airman Natasha E. Stannard
92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Editor's note: This is the first in a three-part series about Fairchild maintenance Airmen working around-the-clock operations from three different locations to keep KC-135 Stratotankers mission ready. While Fairchild renovates its runway, tankers will fly from two separate locations --Spokane International Airport and Grant County International Airport in Moses Lake, Wash. While the aircraft are no longer at Fairchild, maintenance still continues on base as well as these two locations.

With Fairchild's runway under construction through the rest of the year, up to eight KC-135 Stratotankers are operating out of Spokane International Airport, just 15 miles down the road. And where aircraft go, maintainers follow.

This close location is advantageous for everyone because flying routes are similar and maintenance Airmen in training can do hands on training needed to advance in their careers.

"We chose this location because it's familiar for everyone -- from the pilots to the maintenance technicians who will be working there," said Senior Master Sgt. Charles Ducharme, 92nd Maintenance Squadron production superintendent.

While this location is familiar and close to base, it is different than working on an Air Force base. For example, without a hangar maintainers have to work outside in the elements regardless of the weather.

"At Fairchild we can pull an aircraft into the hangar during inclement weather," Sergeant Ducharme said. "If we're working on something outside like the rudder and the wind starts to blow, we have to be very careful."

Not having a hangar also means many of their tools can't be housed at location, so Airmen do their best to prepare for what maintenance issues may occur by setting up ready for transport. If an unexpected issue does come up, they have to either drive back to base to get the tools or communicate with someone on base heading out there anyway to bring it to them.

Three locations splits up the crew, which means maintainers with higher skill levels are positioned at three different locations rather than together at one. This makes it essential for Airmen to take extra initiative to learn and qualify in new skill sets, so they can work on various issues on their own.

"It's more responsibility on everyone's part," said Airman 1st Class Joseph Tenebruso, 92nd Maintenance Squadron crew chief. "We have to rely on ourselves more and get more training."

Because this location is close to base, it gives Airmen in maintenance classes the opportunity to continue hands-on-training, which means there won't be hold ups in their qualifications.

Spokane International has been accommodating through this transition by providing Airmen the opportunity to learn skills needed to operate on a commercial airfield.

"They conduct driving classes on base so we don't have to drive out there," Sergeant Ducharme said. "So far, a couple classes have been held to make sure everyone is qualified to drive on a commercial airfield."

While unforeseen problems are bound to arise, the mission must go on and these Airmen ensure it does.

"I like having more responsibilities and to push myself, and this is a great opportunity to do that," said Airman 1st Class Joseph Tenebruso, 92nd Maintenance Squadron crew chief. "You always have to bring you're A-game to work to get the aircraft up.

"We're going through growing pains, but with time those will go away," added Sergeant Ducharme.

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