Honorary commanders receive hands on maintenance experience

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Rodney D. Ivey
  • 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho --  Braving the cold and rain, more than twenty community leaders toured multiple 366th Maintenance Group facilities Dec. 7 to gain a better understanding of MXG operations and observe first hand the wing's skilled maintainers.

The 366th FW Honorary Commanders Program provides local community leaders an opportunity to experience the wing's mission through an interactive, dynamic set of tours of each of its respective groups and missions. It is designed to increase the understanding of the Gunfighter mission and overall Air Force missions. The program pairs members of the local community with wing leadership to forge new relationships.

The Maintenance Group Day visit kicked off with a quick lunch at the Gunfighter Club where Capt. Sara Preske, 366th Equipment Maintenance Squadron executive officer and visit organizer, briefed the honorary commanders on the schedule of events and an overview of what they would see. In a departure from previous tours, Col Tim Fowler, 366th MXG commander, organized the community leaders into smaller groups and assigned them to their own maintenance escort.

"I wanted each honorary commander to have a detailed experience on how our maintenance operations work here and the chance to get to know the men and women who make it all happen," said Colonel Fowler. "The intent of the tour is for them to see the enthusiasm and skills of our young Airmen and to walk away with a greater appreciation of the amazing work they do."

As lunch concluded, six groups of excited honorary commanders dispersed to the far-flung recesses of Gunfighter maintenance including AMMO, fuels back shop, weapons, non-destructive inspection and the propulsion back shop.

A powerful aroma of JP-8 jet fuel welcomed the first group as they entered an enormous hangar housing the fuels shop. Here, Betty Van Gheluwe, Elmore Medical Center operations officer and 366th Medical Operations Squadron honorary commander, was shown how an F-15E Strike Eagle's 207R conformal fuel tank is certified for use.

"I found it amazing that what appeared to be a part of the F-15 is actually a strap-on fuel tank to make it fly farther," said Mrs. Van Gheluwe. "I had no idea how complicated aircraft maintenance really is."

Throughout the afternoon, honorary commanders gained a greater understanding of what it takes to keep the wing's fleet of aircraft flying. They were shown how the F-15's array of weapon systems are certified for use, what a non-destructive inspection entails, a hands-on demonstration of the intricacy of removing and replacing an F-15E line-replaceable unit, a borescope inspection on an F-15 engine and the delicate task of assembling a bomb.

"Everything was great to see, but I really enjoyed having the opportunity to assemble a bomb," said Gerald Mattison, Idaho Independent Bank vice president and 366th Electronic Maintenance Squadron honorary commander.

Throughout the tour, dozens of maintainers shared their military experiences and maintenance savvy with the honorary commanders, going to whatever lengths to ensure the wing's guests fully understood and appreciated the scope of what F-15 maintenance entails.

"I think they really enjoyed seeing how we inspect for wear and tear in the F-15 combustion chamber," said Technical Sergeant Randy Locke, 366th Component Maintenance Squadron Propulsion Shop. "They were fascinated by the borescope tool we use to look in inaccessible spots."

The community leaders, their hands a bit dirtier, wrapped up the visit at the Gunfighter Club where they excitedly shared the day's excitement with their military counterparts.

"It was amazing to see what they do out here on the base," said Barb Fogleman, Century 21 real estate agent and 389th Fighter Squadron honorary commander.

"The public doesn't usually get to see the level of capability these Airmen have," said Dave Jett, an employee of TEC Inc. and 366th Fighter Wing Director of Staff honorary commander. "I got to see some things most people never get a chance to see."

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