Reserve C-130 crew keeps planes flying at “Golden Medic”

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey S. Williams
  • Golden Medic Public Affairs
AUGUSTA, Ga. --  Using fixed-wing aircraft away from an Air Force base during a training exercise often has maintenance and logistical obstacles to overcome. At the Golden Medic Exercise 2007 in Augusta, Ga., one Reserve C-130 crew performed exemplary service in overcoming maintenance challenges while providing effective airlift support for the joint medical exercise.

The "Flying Vikings" of the 934th Airlift Wing provided airlift support for the exercise despite having crew chiefs and maintainers from the 934th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron pulling in overtime to fix a brake. With support from the 94th Maintenance Squadron, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., two hours away, they were able to get the problem fixed without compromising their mission.

Then they assisted the other C-130 unit with maintenance support when their aircraft had engine trouble, and Tech. Sgt. David Fisher, 934th AMXS crew chief, stepped up to the plate - when another crew chief was not available to open up their aircraft, he helped with a static on-load demonstration for the students.

"We called Sergeant Fisher at 1:50 a.m. when the other unit's crew chief didn't show up. We asked if he could help us complete the mission," said Maj. Dana Vermeer, 94th CRE operations officer, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. "He came over and opened up the Minneapolis C-130 for a static on-load for the aeromedical evacuation mission. He really saved our bacon that night. He went above and beyond the call, and he's great to work with."

Capt. Chris Rieland, 96th Airlift Squadron aircraft commander, also praised his maintainers.

"It wasn't just them keeping the plane flying. They kept everything working here," said Captain Rieland. "They fixed our plane late one night and helped the other unit out too. They did a great job."

The brake problem turned out to be an exercise in logistics. A lot of coordination occurred between the 934th AMXS crew chiefs and their home station in Minneapolis, Air Force Reserve Command headquarters at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., the 94th CRE here in Augusta, as well as the exercise battle staff.

"Since we didn't have the parts, tools and equipment, the unit at Dobbins Air Reserve Base was kind enough to help us," said Tech. Sgt. Ben Rettman, 934 AMXS crew chief. "We came out here at 11 a.m. and didn't leave until 11:30 p.m. We had to get the plane back in service so we could fly again the next day as our next flight was at 7 a.m. We supported the exercise and didn't miss a minute."

Tech. Sgts. Keith Callahan and Gerald Peterson, aircraft pneudraulic technicians with the 94th Maintenance Squadron received their notification at 3:30 p.m. and arrived in Augusta four hours later with all the tools and equipment needed to fix the plane.

"The guys met us at the gate. They were sitting there waiting for us," said Sergeant Callahan. "We started working on it immediately. The guys were great. We received excellent support from them. We did all we could do to give them the support they needed, and they did their best to make it comfortable for us."

"The guys from Dobbins were outstanding," said Sergeant Fisher. "They were professional and I can't say enough about them. It was a huge team effort for us, the aircrew, the CRE personnel and the exercise battle staff."

Master Sgt. Mitch Shores, 934th AMXS propulsion mechanic, spent time with the other unit, lending a hand in resolving engine issues.

"Sergeant Shores ended up providing technical assistance when the aircraft wouldn't start. They were able to start the engine and launch the flight with minimal delay. Without Sergeant Shores, they probably wouldn't have been able to make that flight," said Sergeant Rettman.

When asked about how it was working aircraft maintenance issues at a location without readily available support, Sergeant Fisher shrugged it off as just a challenge to overcome.

"There are going to be twists and turns, but the training that we receive becomes critical in times like these. It's the team effort that helps us overcome adversity," Sergeant Fisher said. "These guys are excellent. I could tell from the first day of the trip it was going to be memorable."

"We have a lot of experience working together. Master Sgts. Al McCann, Mitch Shores and Sergeant Rettman all have a lot of experience and we've worked together for years. This is the best team I've worked with for a long time," he added.