2 AMXS always mission ready

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Chad Warren
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  When most of Team Barksdale is just waking up and beginning to get ready for work, a group of dedicated Airmen have already put in a full eight-hour shift. Covered in grease, fuel and hydraulic fluid, this essential group passes the torch to the next shift in a never ending, seamless machine that keeps the B-52H Stratofortress flying day after day.

Airmen from the 2nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron must be experts on all aspects of the B-52H. They work directly with the aircraft, ensuring the crew has the most reliable, mission-capable plane possible to get the job done.

"What sets us apart from our sister squadrons in the group is that we directly support flying operations," said Chief Master Sgt. Terry Tinsley, 2 AMXS superintendent.

The maintainers work closely with the specific units they support and become very familiar with the aircraft as well as the crew. This close relationship is important, said Tinsley, since the aircraft maintainers and aircrew deploy together.

The amount of maintenance and upkeep required to keep the aircraft in top operating condition can be daunting, but maintainers undergo extensive training to ensure they are up to the task.

"There are over 250 jobs we are required to be qualified on," said Staff Sgt. Kevin Henchey, 2 AMXS dedicated crew chief. "On an average day, we perform maybe 20-30 different jobs, all included in our pre-flight. Every day is unique."

Aircraft maintainers are responsible for the overall health of the aircraft, from nose to tail. Whether it be ensuring the fluid levels are correct or making sure the landing gear is in working order, the crew places their lives in the hands of the maintainers every time they leave the runway. This immense responsibility gives the maintainers a well-deserved sense of pride that keeps them motivated through the long hours and sometimes rough conditions.

"I enjoy the reward of our job," said Henchey. "We put a lot of hard work into maintaining the aircraft, doing all the work to make sure it is ready to fly the next day and ready for the crew when they step out to the flightline."

Being a major part of the mission and helping the aircraft get in the air and fly the sorties successfully is a major source of motivation, he added.

"These young Airmen are out there trying to supply as close to 100 percent capable aircraft as possible to provide our boss, Col. Fay, with iron to put in the air," Tinsley said proudly.

The mission of the 2nd Bomb Wing never sleeps, and neither do the maintainers who make it possible.