Vehicle maintenance: the driving force behind Barksdale’s mission

Senior Airmen Tyler Henderson, left, Brian Rodriguez, middle, and Trent Wischoff, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintainers, search for a leak inside a forklift at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., Nov. 2, 2015. From forklifts to buses to augers, 2nd LRS vehicle maintainers must fix the problem and supply vehicles units depend on for the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Luke Hill)

Vehicle maintenance: the driving force behind Barksdale’s mission

Staff Sgt. Jon Moore, 2nd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle maintainer, performs a routine vehicle check at Barksdale Air Force Base La., Nov. 2, 2015. Airmen rely on the use of vehicles to enable them or support their job. The 2nd LRS vehicle maintainers keep these crucial vehicles repaired and ready to serve Team Barksdale. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Luke Hill)

Vehicle maintenance: the driving force behind Barksdale's mission

Published Nov. 5, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Luke Hill
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Airmen have many jobs ranging from simple to complex. Oftentimes, they rely on vehicles to help accomplish the mission. The 2nd Logistic Readiness Squadron vehicle maintainers keep these crucial vehicles repaired and ready to serve Team Barksdale.

Vehicle maintainers must know how to work on all sorts of vehicles.

From fork lifts to buses to drills used by 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, 2nd LRS vehicle maintainers must fix the problem and supply vehicles that units depend on to complete the mission.

"We work on anything that has four wheels," said Staff Sgt. Jon Moore, 2nd LRS vehicle equipment maintainer. "Barksdale is depending on us. If we had no way to fix these vehicles, the base would have a complete shutdown very quickly."

Because vehicles are used daily, people can sometimes forget how vital they are and how much they are needed. Vehicles are one of the driving forces enabling Airmen to complete their mission.

"Vehicle maintenance is important because everyone and every squadron on Barksdale uses vehicles to complete their part of the mission," said Staff Sgt. Gerami Brown, 2nd LRS vehicle equipment maintainer. "You can't get Airmen to aircraft without vehicles. You can't tow aircraft. You can't secure the base without security forces vehicles. You can't load bombs without lifts. Civil engineers can't make repairs to base infrastructure without their equipment. Every squadron and unit on base is relying on us."

Vehicle maintenance is not just for the 2nd LRS vehicle maintainers, however; every member of Team Barksdale can do their part to take care of the vehicles that are used daily and essential to the mission.

"Treat it like it's your own vehicle," said Moore. "I fix these vehicles like they are my personal vehicles, and take a lot of pride in trying to put out a better product than what I get in."

"We work very hard to keep Barksdale's vehicles running and dependable," said Brown. "However, once we run out of funds for the fiscal year, it puts us at a stand-still. I think if people realized that, then they would be more careful and take better care of their vehicles."

Vehicles are used everywhere and at every squadron. They are used for base security, construction, and many other reasons and if they aren't maintained properly, essential parts of the mission cannot be accomplished. Thankfully 2nd LRS vehicle maintenance Airmen keep Barksdale driving, loading, towing and repairing vehicles they can depend on.