Certainly at sometime you’ve looked up and witnessed an aircraft taking off or landing? Or turned your attention towards the flightline and seen a lone towing vehicle picking up and delivering equipment to an aircraft. If the answer is yes, then you may have seen one of the unsung heroes behind the mission…the Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) technician.

What is the main purpose of the AGE Flight, one might ask? Well it is to provide immediate and responsive flightline support to aircraft operations at home and abroad. The AGE technician is one of the most diversified-trained mechanics in the Air Force. All mechanics must stay proficient on a variety of systems, from hydraulics, pneumatics, and air conditioning systems, to diesel and turbine-powered generators.. A fully qualified mechanic is able to troubleshoot, tear down and then rebuild any system from the simplest to most complex at anytime, anywhere in the world!

With the Air Force’s high ops tempo it isn’t uncommon to find AGE technicians and their equipment throughout the world. AGE personnel continuously support Operation’s NORTHERN and SOUTHERN WATCH, Green Flag, Red Flag, and Weapons Training School. Upon arrival back to home station, there is hardly anytime to recoup before the AGE technician is off again to some other exotic location like Japan, Singapore, Hawaii or Europe.

The AGE Flight, located in building 517 has 56 technicians assigned to maintain 478 pieces of equipment and is divided into four diverse work sections. Each handles a magnitude of distinctive functions; from pick-up and delivery, inspection and maintenance, to scheduling and tracking of all equipment forms, and training inbound 3-levels. Two of the sections are Combat Age Teams or CATs, actually mini-flights responsible for every aspect of the AGE career field. They are structured for pick-up and go mobilization. The remaining two sections are just as crucial to the success of the flight, the Training Section is directly responsible for the upgrade training of all newly assigned 3-levels, and Production Support is the hub for all parts requests.

Every operation, regardless of its mission has a focal point, for AGE the central pulse is Production Support, or PC as it is commonly referred to, it is the heartbeat of our total operation. Every facet of the flight’s operation is coordinated through this office. PC performs the scheduling of over 1,400 annual and special inspections, maintains equipment historical files, tracks every Time Compliance Technical Order, and manages the flight’s Technical Orders, Fuel Accounts, and Hazardous Waste programs. Many of the flight’s Hazardous Waste program processes developed by the PC staff have been recognized as being some of the best practices in the Wing. Additionally, they oversee a benchstock containing over 500 different line items, to support our maintenance operation.

The flight’s numerous missions are as varied as providing equipment for Civil Engineers (CE) to direct aircraft support. The 1^st CAT is directly responsible for supporting not only base requirements but the 1st Airborne Command and Control Squadron (1^st ACCS) and its E-4B National Airborne Operation Command (NAOC) missions. The 1^st CAT has the unique status of having the only AGE personnel in the Air Force with authorized flying status. Nine technicians stand ready on alert to fly with the aircraft at a moment’s notice, 365 days a year.

The flightline is not the only place you will find the 1^st CAT giving assistance. The 1^st CAT is also responsible for base support. Some of their customers include the Security Police, providing perimeter lighting or heat for the firing range and CE Squadron, where we are tasked to provide electrical power or heating and air conditioning units for temporary use during building system failures. This type of support further illustrates the high level of versatility of our equipment. And finally the 1^st CAT provides ground support for Offutt’s Transit Alert (TA) aircraft. Team members provide all necessary equipment for TA aircraft maintenance and servicing operations.

The 38/45th CAT straddles the operations of both the 38^th and the 45^th Reconnaissance Squadrons. Supporting Operations like RIVET JOINT, COBRA BALL, and OPEN SKIES, (a mission providing global reconnaissance) keeps the people of this section on the move. Last year alone the men and women of the 38/45^th CAT supported high profile exercises like Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment (JEFX) 99, the second largest exercise in the Air Force. Others include All Services Combat Identification Evaluation Team (ASCIET), 38 RS Weapons Training School, Green Flag, and Red Flag. The 38/45^th CAT stands ready to support all missions at any give moment, but all of this demanding support wouldn’t be possible without trained personnel, and that is the sole purpose of the flight’s training section.

Because of the increased influx of 3-level airmen and the constant deployment of our qualified trainers the flight established an in-house Training Section. The section’s specific function is to indoctrinate our newly assigned airmen with the necessary training to complete their core tasks prior to upgrade, within an 6-8 months time period. During this period trainees are given a workcenter orientation to make them aware of any job and environmental safety issues related to the facility and duty location. The 3-level training covers flight line driving, equipment operation, periodic and service inspections, technical order familiarization, as well as, continuation training though Field Training Detachment courses.

This innovative concept allows the flight to develop future 5-levels without a break in trainer-trainee continuity. A constant relationship accelerates the upgrade task and produces more effective qualification of trainees. This program has resulted in the flight’s ability to maintain support at home base, and numerous deployments. All while being at 33 % above other ACC bases in 3 level arrivals.

If you ask any AGE technician to use one word in defining their distinct career field, they will probably say "DINSTAAR", which translates to; "Danger Is NO Stranger to an AGE Ranger". However, it will be the 55^th MXS AGE repairman who will shout it the loudest from around the globe, signifying the high degree of pride, leadership and teamwork we bring to the Fighting 55^th Wing’s World–Wide mission.