Maintenance mysteries cracked during open house

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Marissa Tucker
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Members of the 39th Maintenance Squadron shared some tricks of their trade with several spouses, children and other Airmen during the 39th MXG open house here July 6.

Airmen from several flights of the 39th MXS gave visitors an inside look into their daily operations with the goal of bringing a better definition to simply working in maintenance, said Col. Mark Bowen, 39th MXS commander.

As the day began, Bowen gave tour participants, many with tots in tow, a quick overview of what they would see during the day. Cheers of excitement not only came from several children, but also from some of the adults who were ready to visit the squadron for the first time, or for others, stroll down memory lane.

"I was in the Air Force for four years in ammo and being able to visit the backshop really brought back fond memories," said Verlean Coman, wife of Staff Sgt. Jason Coman from the 39th MXS quality assurance flight.

Throughout the tour, the group visited flights such as metals maintenance, crash recovery, aerospace ground equipment, and electrical and environmental systems. Briefers explained their particular field and showed attendees exactly how it affects the 39th Air Base Wing mission.

"I'm basically a modern day blacksmith," said Staff Sgt. Kirk Sheppard, 39th MXS aircraft metal technician. "We can fabricate any parts the Air Force needs to fix aircraft."

Because Incirlik does not have any permanently assigned aircraft, the 39th MXS mission depends on the needs of NATO on any given day. Maintainers must be ready to fix any aircraft that happens to stop at Incirlik and need assistance.

"I've seen aircraft from places like Norway, Britain and France here," said Tech. Sgt. Paul Ryan from the 39th MXS transient alert flight. "It can get pretty interesting."

From venturing out to the no man's land of the flight line where many Airmen may never visit while at Incirlik, to briefings on the capabilities of the squadron, the tour participants gained a better understanding of just what their loved ones do from eight to sometimes 12 hours a day.

The squadron will host another tour in October and it will be open to anyone on base wishing to learn more about maintenance at Incirlik. Spouses new to the Air Force and children are highly encouraged to attend.

"My children really got a lot from this," Coman said. "I want them to know what their father does and why he's away sometimes. This is better than us just telling them, they get to be a part of it."