Maintenance training in the Rocky Mountains

  • Published
  • By Maj. Allison Ecung
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, COLO. --  More than 120 Reserve Airmen, most from the 514th Maintenance Group, participated in a training mission at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.

The maintainers participated in several types of training, both on the aircraft as well as in the classroom.

In one session, Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Warbrick, 514th Air Mobility Wing command chief master sergeant, provided guidance and solicited feedback about the wing's upcoming change from two unit training assemblies to just one per month.

Airmen also received a maintenance ethics refresher course and a financial investment briefing.

Two civilian Airmen, Barbara Robinson and Debbie Whittaker, provided briefings about military pay and proper completion of travel vouchers. They said the key is to have the unit defense travel administrator review the vouchers before final submission.

The maintainers participated in the "In It to Win It" team-building challenge, designed by Chief Master Sgt. Linda Menser, 514th Maintenance Group superintendent. Five teams competed in group challenges, including darts, bowling, balancing a seesaw and hula hooping.

"I thought it was a great idea to build off the team concept," Menser said. "Everybody gets to know each other, and it kind of breaks down some barriers we might have."

In their limited free time, some Airmen visited the sights around Colorado. Fishing, hiking and sightseeing were all on the agenda as they soaked up Colorado's mountain culture.

Some visited the United States Air Force Academy, where cadets train to become Air Force officers. Others visited Pikes Peak and the rock formations in the Garden of the Gods.

The trip also provided an opportunity to address a real aircraft maintenance issue. A surprise hail storm significantly damaged an engine, but the maintenance team was there to apply their training and provide critical repairs. 

"The importance of any type of maintenance that we do is what we learn along the way," said Maj. Michael Gregory, 514th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.