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552nd MXS: A ‘wide range of artisans’

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacy Fowler
  • 552nd Air Control Wing Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE --  When people think of maintenance for the E-3 Sentry, many think of the maintenance for the overall aircraft done by "the maintainers."
   But there is another area of the maintenance mission that holds equal importance - and that is the more specialized maintenance of the 552nd Maintenance Squadron. These Airmen are in charge of the majority of off-aircraft work, as well as specialized maintenance in computer, radar and specific system maintenance of the E-3.
   "Our unit is very diverse," said Lt. Col. James Mullin, 552nd MXS commander. "We have a wide range of artisans -- one Airman can build very technical math models showing the inner workings of the computers they use on the E-3, and we have another Airman who can bend sheets of metal into any shape we want. Our Airmen all work together to help make sure that aircraft can do what it does."
   Multiple aspects of one mission
   Airmen in the MXS flights work on a wide variety of items for the E-3: the Accessories Flight Airmen are in charge of ensuring all the aircraft-support equipment, such as air conditioners, refrigerators, generators, stairs and support vehicles, are working properly; two flights -- Computers and Radar -- ensure the systems used on the aircraft are working properly; the Maintenance Flight takes care of the annual isochronal inspections for all E-3s, as well as ensuring flight controls and other flight deck systems are operational; and the Fabrication Flight uses sheet metal to create needed items for the E-3.
   Many sections also have two areas that Airmen rotate through -- the flightline and the backshop. Flightline Airmen are in charge of the overall maintenance work, and the backshop is where components are occasionally taken apart for a deeper look and any more complicated repairs. This not only keeps the Airmen from stagnating in one area, it also makes those Airmen better at their jobs through increasing their depth of knowledge.
   "We have a very structured maintenance schedule going through many different types of equipment, which can be a challenge," said Airman 1st Class Josh Varner, Aerospace Ground Equipment apprentice in the 552nd MXS. "What makes the process smooth is the supervision and the training we receive through our peers."
   Two for one deal
   "We have highly-talented and well-trained Airmen in the MXS, and it's through close work relationships between Airmen, their supervisors and other shops in this unit that ensures mission success," Colonel Mullin said.
   And with more than 650 personnel in the 552nd MXS, it is also the biggest squadron in the group. The main reason for the larger unit is that the MXS originally was split into two squadrons -- the Component Maintenance and Equipment Maintenance Squadrons.
   "This merger is about the Airmen in the squadron forming a new team," Colonel Mullin said at the merger ceremony May 4. "The men and women of the 552nd MXS formed this new team from two outstanding squadrons with great histories, proud traditions and exceptional performance."
   "All of their successes have been the product of [our Airmen's] ingenuity, creativity and industriousness," Colonel Mullin said. "None of that changes."
   E-3 maintenance during the "steady state" days of Operations Provide Comfort, Southern Watch, and the counter-drug operations in South America, "was about grit, determination, getting dirty and getting the job done," Colonel Mullin said.
   Working closely with fellow groups
   Airmen in the MXS not only work side-by-side with maintainers, they also ensure a good working relationship with members in the Operations and Communications groups.
   "Maintenance, operations and communications -- we are all part of one team," Colonel Mullin said. "We all work together to get our guys on target. In many ways you could say we're up there with them when they launch (a sortie). We have some really great Airmen both in bags and (battle dress uniforms)."
   Airmen 1st Class Michael Brifnek, a computer systems maintainer in the 552nd MXS, has almost daily contact with the Operations Airmen flying the missions.
   "The operators come down and let us know of any problems they had during the flight, and we go out and fix it while on the ground," Airman Brifnek said. "These systems were built between 1975-1982, and we replace faulty (equipment), as well as (connect) aircrew faults during flight to faulty components after they land. We give the operators a usable display to look at the information that is being processed on the jet."
   Each section in the 552nd MXS has their own specialties, and they are all parts of the same "kill chain." Without one of those parts, the E-3 wouldn't be able to launch and "if (Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft) doesn't launch, the fleet doesn't launch," said Colonel Mullin.