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Electrical accessories shop keeps Air Force flying

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  Exciters, fuel nozzles and thrust actuators, oh my.

In a given day, more than 150 different aircraft components circulate through the 552nd Commodities Maintenance Squadron's Electrical Accessories Shop. By month's end, nearly 830 repaired, overhauled and tested parts are returned to customers or transferred to another shop for the next stage of repair. The electrical accessories shop, tucked deep in Bldg. 3001's south industrial sector, caters to the Air Force, Navy, Foreign Military Sales program, and engine and depot lines.

"Our electrical accessory shop supports nearly every airframe in the inventory," said Col. Jeffrey Sick, 76th Commodities Maintenance Group commander. "Every person there is warfighter-focused and understands they are vital to our success as a fighting machine."
Herman Dave Sanchez, 552nd CMMXS director, agreed.

"The past two years this section has exceeded its production goals by more than 35,000 hours in supporting worldwide customers," he said. "The employees of the electrical accessories shop are unequivocal, second to none. The people are to be commended for demonstrating consistent distinguished performance."

Led by Rick Martin, shop section chief, nearly 55 personnel manage the shop. Employees are flexible and many can fix up to 15 different parts. Together, they repair, test and overhaul parts for major airframes and engines including the E-3 Sentry, E-6 Mercury, C-5 Galaxy, KC-135 Stratotanker, B-2 Spirit, F110, F118, F102, TF30 and TF33.

Furthermore, shop personnel also lend support to the 552nd CMMXS Battery Shop by training 552nd Air Control Wing Airmen who deploy with E-3s how to charge and servicing batteries used in the aircraft. E-3s use batteries for the main power source. A direct current energizes the system to accept an alternating current, or main power source. If the batteries aren't charged, the aircraft is immobile, Mr. Martin said.

Traditionally, shop personnel work from 5:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, but depending on the task at hand, they may work weekends to get the job done, as back and rush orders occur frequently in the shop. Mr. Martin said depending on the part and the order requirement, flow days range from three to 30 days.

The shop is made up of three smaller shops -- two electrical equipment repair spaces and one pump and manifold area. To become an electrical equipment repairer, personnel must complete a basic electrical class, which is approximately a month long and offered at Tinker. Individuals must also attend and pass a week-long soldering class and test. If repairers are hired through a vocational technology program, the basic electrical class requirement is excused, but the individual still needs the soldering training.

John White, who works in an Electrical Equipment Repair sub-shop, said he loves his job.

"I'm a curious person and I like to see work from the beginning to the end," he said. Mr. White has been in the shop for the past 16 years. Prior to arriving in the electrical accessories shop, he worked in a Tinker engine shop and attended Tinker's vo-tech program.

Mike Boettler, who also works in an Electrical Equipment Repair sub-shop, agreed.

"My job is challenging because every day there are new challenges and new problems with the parts. I can help solve them," he said. Mr. Boettler has worked at the shop for the past three years. He has an Associates' Degree from Oklahoma City Community College and attended a local vo-tech school. "I look forward to coming back each day because my job helps people fight the wars throughout the world."