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Bringing power to the mission: Teamwork, flexibility key to team's success

  • Published
  • By J.M. Simpson
  • for the Northwest Airlifter
MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The 62nd Maintenance Squadron's Aerospace Ground Equipment flight is home to some of the most versatile Airmen in the Air Force. 

"In this shop, each of us is a jack-of-all-trades," said Senior Airman Evan Nemeth, 62nd MXS, as he inspected a drill -- one of 304 tools in a neatly arranged composite tool kit. 

"In the production area, we have to know the equipment, know where it is and what it is used for." 

The flight is comprised of three sections: inspection and repair, production support, and service pickup and delivery. All three sections work to bring power - electrical, hydraulic and air - directly to the flightline. 

To do that requires teamwork and flexibility, said Master Sgt. Jamie Cerna, 62nd MXS. 

"Don't let any of these Airmen fool you," he said. "They are all good at what they do; they are the nerve center of the flightline." 

As such, the AGE flight sometimes has to immediately stop whatever it is doing in order to meet an urgent mission requirement. 

"A couple of months ago we were doing our usual jobs when we got a call from a commander," said Airman 1st Class Brian Dossett, 62nd MXS. "Half the shop stopped what it was doing, prepared the equipment for deployment that was needed for a real world mission, and then we went right back to what we were doing before the call came in." 

This kind of adaptability is part and parcel of what AGE Airmen expect and excel at. 

"We do quality work; we work very well together," said Airman Michael Valitski, 62nd MXS, as he wiped his hands clean after inspecting a generator. "And we always get our work done on time, if not earlier." 

Maintaining the generators and maintenance stands is a significant part of what the Airmen and their civilian counterparts do in support of their flightline mission. 

"The sense of teamwork here is incredible," said Airman 1st Class Tenisha Puckett, 62nd MXS, as she helped civilian Lucinda Oglesby, also 62nd MXS, check the governor actuator on a generator. 

A 24/7 operation with the capability to go anywhere at anytime, AGE Airmen make sure that aircraft have the power they need, said Tech. Sgt. Steven Huffman, 62nd
MXS. 

"And our motto of 'Bringing Power to the Flightline' is exactly what we do," he said. 

On this particular day, one of those versatile Airmen working the flightline was Staff Sgt. Darla Graham as she prepared to move a power cart to start an auxiliary power unit from the ready line in the service pickup and delivery section of the flight to a C-17 Globemaster III parked on Charlie Ramp. 

"Ours is a vital mission," said Sergeant Graham as she began to drive away. "Without us - without the power we bring to the flightline - there would be no operations."