Red Tail Flyer - 14 Feb 2005

AGE Airmen keep ground mission running

AGE Airmen keep ground mission running
BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq, -- Airman 1st Class Todd Spencer changes the starter on a bomb lift used to raise missiles and bombs being mounted onto an aircraft. Besides flightline operations, he and other 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron Aerospace Ground Equipment Airmen help civil engineers provide power to housing areas here. (Digitally altered U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Colleen Wronek)

by Senior Airman Colleen Wronek
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

2/14/2005 - BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (AFPN)  -- The 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron’s aerospace ground equipment flight Airmen are a vital part of the mission here.

“If it wasn’t for us, specialists and crew chiefs couldn’t do their job,” said Tech. Sgt. Michael Gosik, the flight’s chief. “Our purpose is to provide the aircraft with power and equipment so (the maintainers) can accomplish their mission.”

The flight’s Airmen provide and maintain many types of equipment, including generators for aircraft power, equipment to heat and air-condition the aircraft, maintenance stands, wash carts for foreign object debris, floodlights and munitions handling equipment.

“From simple oil checks to complete equipment engine teardown and rebuild, our flight makes sure the equipment works before it gets to the aircraft,” said Airman 1st Class Todd Spencer, a flight apprentice.

Besides maintaining the equipment, Airman Spencer delivers it to the aircraft.

“I make sure the equipment is there when the aircraft arrives,” he said. “At home station, the urgency for AGE delivery isn’t as high, but here when I get the call, I have to deliver the equipment right away so the aircraft can stay on schedule and continue its mission.”

The Airmen monitor the equipment for all aircraft here including the RQ/MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicles and F-16 Fighting Falcons.

“Any airplane that lands here, we take care of,” Sergeant Gosik said. “We maintain a 98 percent mission capable rate in harsh conditions with limited parts, equipment and people.”

AGE Airmen also help with tasks not normally done at home station.

“Because of our knowledge of generators and other equipment, we help civil engineers provide power to the housing areas and heaters for runway repair,” Sergeant Gosik said.

The Airmen have run into a few difficulties because of the deployed environment.

“Some of the challenges are the muddy and dusty conditions, limited shop space with limited tools and constant operations tempo,” Sergeant Gosik said. “Despite it all, we get the job done.”

Sergeant Gosik and Airman Spencer are deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah.