Maintainters focus on mission in Turkey

Published May 29, 2007
By Senior Airman Mark Orders-Woempner
434th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

INCIRLIK AB, Turkey -- Flying over the Atlantic Ocean, Airman battle against tiredness, the cold interior of a KC-135R Stratotanker, and the boredom that accompanies an eleven-hour flight.

Not only do they have to deal with the environment, this group of Airmen from the 434th Air Refueling Wing must also handle the emotions that arise when leaving friends and family behind, but this will all change in a few hours.

It will change because they will have their hands and minds full, keeping aircraft flying as they supporting the Global War on Terrorism.

The maintainers, from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Ind., will be a part of the 385th Air Expeditionary Group, said Lt. Col. Cristina Vilella, 434th Maintenance Group deputy commander, who added that the maintainers primary purpose will be keeping air refueling aircraft ready to complete their missions.

"Specifically, my role will be making sure we have the proper maintenance personnel to complete the mission as well as the proper equipment," said Colonel Vilella. "It will also be my job to take care of my troops as well as keep them safe."

One of the Airmen who will perform the day-to-day maintenance is Senior Airman Franklin Willis, 434th Maintenance Squadron hydraulics technician.

"My job will be to fix what is broke and to keep the planes flying," said Airman Willis, who added that everyone is important to the mission success.

Many of the maintainers will only be gone for little under a month, making this a short trip, compared to many others.

Both Airmen said they were well trained by the Air Force to do the job that needs to be done.

"I am prepared for this, because all the other maintainers are prepared for this," said the colonel. "They are all great at what they do, and they make it easy on me."

Airman Willis, who works at Grissom full time as an air reserve technician, stated he planned to take a lot away from this experience.

"I plan to gain valuable experience and get to know some of the people in my unit a little bit better," said Airman Willis. "I get to see how things work at a deployed location and get a better picture of overall Air Force operations."

The maintainers will have some free time to experience Turkish life first hand, and both interviewed said that they were excited about being able to experience a new culture.

"I've never left the country, so I'm curious and anxious to see what another culture is like," said Airman Willis, who added that experiencing new cultures is one of the reasons he joined the Air Force Reserve.

Despite all the experience the maintainers will gain, and the busy schedule they will have, their thoughts will still be with the families they left behind.

"I left a wife and two kids behind, and I'm going to miss them a lot, but my wife understands the mission and that it has to be done," said Airman Willis. "It makes it easier knowing I won't be gone for that long."

As the KC-135R lands, the Grissom maintainers gather their bags and head off to their new jobs, taking with them the experience and knowledge necessary to complete the mission and the memories of their families.

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Maintainters focus on mission in Turkey

Public Affairs Staff