Grissom mechanics keep vehicle fleet running Published Jan. 10, 2017 By SrA. Harrison Withrow 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- It takes nonstop vigilance, determination, and some creative thinking for just four mechanics to keep over 200 cars and trucks running, but that’s what Grissom’s vehicle maintainers do every day. “We have fire trucks, refuelers, snow removal trucks, police cruisers, tractor trailers, 25k loaders, forklifts, material handling equipment, busses, and de-icers,” said Danny Santana, Grissom's vehicle maintenance lead mechanic. “Grissom’s de-icers really like to break.” Not so long ago, vehicle maintenance fielded nine mechanics, with three groups all specializing in different vehicles, said Santana. Now they accomplish the same work with fewer than half that number, and each mechanic is required to work on every vehicle. “It’s really amazing,” said Santana. “We have four mechanics and one dispatcher to handle 213 vehicles, and we still get it done.” The dispatcher Santana referred to is Kimberly Cannella, vehicle maintenance material control specialist. Her job is to purchase parts and tools for the mechanic team, a task made challenging by tight budget constraints and rarity of many older parts, said Cannella. “Everyone on this team is very good at what they do,” said Santana. During winter months, vehicle maintenance takes on additional duties as heavy equipment is being used around the clock to keep the roads clear and keep the aircraft ready to fly. De-icers, trucks with a crane-like arm designed to spray ice-melting chemicals on aircraft, are notorious for frequent mechanical issues, said Santana. Unfortunately, they are critical to base operations, and Grissom only owns a handful, so repairs must be quick and thorough. “Snow always creates problems,” said Brayman “BB” Burnsworth. “We spend all winter keeping our snow vehicles running, and then we spend all summer rebuilding stuff that broke down back in the winter.” Burnsworth is a former U.S. Army Sergeant who spent 12 years repairing M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles. These days he can be found working on engines of police cruisers in Grissom’s maintenance garage. Burnsworth had high-praise for the head mechanic, who he described as a very hands-on type of leader. “My favorite thing about working with Santana is that he’s not afraid to work,” said Burnsworth. “I’ve been with head mechanics in the past who just sat in their own section and didn’t help much. Santana’s all over the place, and if you can’t figure something out, he’s right there with you trying to tackle the problem.” When a big machine has a big problem, Josh Siler is the man for the job, said Adam Yoder. Siler is an Automotive Service Excellence certified mechanic who has been here for over two years. “He’s definitely our heavy equipment specialist,” said Yoder. “Josh is the expert in that area.” Yoder, on the other hand, is a former U.S. Air Force nuclear weapons maintenance mechanic who came to Grissom from Büchel Air Base, Germany. He is now a general mechanic for both DMS and Indiana Air National Guard. Between the four, they have almost sixty years of vehicle maintenance experience. As trucks begin to line up outside the garage, crew members are hard at work finding and fixing problems just as quickly as they arise. No matter what challenge is presented, they meet it with urgency and excellence, because for Grissom’s vehicle maintainers, failing is not an option. The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
