62d AW to demonstrate maintenance capabilities for Pacific exercise

Team McChord Airmen clean and prepare equipment for a pre-Joint Inspection at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, August 2, 2024. The pre-JI is for an upcoming agile combat exercise, Operation KENNEY’S RETURN, and consisted of deep cleaning and preparing U.S. Air Force and Army cargo and equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Megan Geiger)

62d AW to demonstrate maintenance capabilities for Pacific exercise

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Angela Curtis, left, and Capt. Erica Joffre, pilots with the 4th Airlift Squadron, fly a C-17 Globemaster III during Operation Max Moose over the Pacific Northwest, July 11, 2023. Curtis and Joffre piloted the first leg of the mission, flying for 24-hours straight. The purpose of the exercise was to evaluate the 62d AW ability to coordinate and launch a maximum number of aircraft in response to a simulated combat scenario, as well as to evaluate and identify gaps in various applicable emergency plans. A total of 19 crews and 15 aircraft were generated and launched within a 12-hour notice. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Williams)

62d AW to demonstrate maintenance capabilities for Pacific exercise

Published Aug. 6, 2024
By 62d Airlift Wing Public Affairs
62d Airlift Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --

Team McChord Airmen will join forces Aug. 19-29 to become the 7th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron to conduct and execute maintenance capabilities with joint and coalition allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility during Operation KENNY’S RETURN.

The 62d Airlift Wing is set to participate in the high-end exercise later this month. OKR will emphasize the operationalization of maintenance tactics, techniques and procedures first demonstrated with a 45-hour two-ship C-17 Globemaster III sortie last year called Max Moose.

For maintenance Airmen, Max Moose was an effort in developing and testing of new maintenance capabilities. Additionally, Agile Combat Employment and Mission Ready Airmen concepts called for an urgent operational requirement to decrease aircraft ground time, so the 62d AW assembled subject matter experts from aircrew and maintenance to create a local maintenance checklist that enabled aircrews and flying crew chiefs to service engine oil without having to shut down all engines.

The capability was tested and fine-tuned through table-top exercises and live ground tests. Max Moose validated the capability to service engine oil with engines running. The next step is to operationalize the capability by taking it to an exercise requiring max endurance operations across the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility without enroute ground support equipment, increasing the tempo of the Joint Force.

"Max Moose was a significant milestone for us and we are excited to demonstrate the capability in this upcoming exercise,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. William Burrous, 62d Maintenance Group deputy commander. “Our ability to service engine oil with engines running will enable us to increase the tempo of the Joint Force, and we are committed to providing the most effective and combat credible maneuver."

The C-17 Globemaster III, assigned to the 62d AW, is a versatile and reliable aircraft that can transport troops, equipment and supplies directly into combat. Its capability to operate in difficult and austere environments, combined with the unprecedented maintenance capability demonstrated with Max Moose, makes it a crucial asset for the Joint Force.