Keeping the Rodeo bird flying

  • Published
  • By By Staff Sgt. Amanda Callahan
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  As the Rodeo competition draws near, the 319th Air Refueling Wing team's maintainers are preparing the KC-135 for its arrival at McChord.

"One of the most challenging things is taking this 50-year-old aircraft and giving it the TLC [tender loving care] it needs," said Tech. Sgt. Jason Abernathy, 319th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and one of the three crew chiefs on the team.

Sergeant Abernathy is joined by crew chiefs Senior Airman Benjamin Braithewaite and Airman 1st Class Jesse Evans. They've been working together as members of the Rodeo team for about 30 days.

Crew chiefs are responsible for launch, recovery, configuration and general servicing of the aircraft.

"The long hours we put in to get the plane ready are tough," said Airman Braithwaite. "But I volunteered for a challenge, and I got one."

The crew chiefs make up a small portion of the 10-member maintenance team. Other maintainers include specialists from hydraulics, engine, communication and navigation, instruments and flight controls, and electrical and environmental, as well as the maintenance officer in charge and NCO in charge.

"I've been doing a lot of crew chief tasks in preparation for the Rodeo," said Staff Sgt. Khristen Huey-Davies, a comm-nav specialist. "It's great teamwork. I've deployed with all of these guys, so we're used to working together."

According to Sergeant Huey-Davies, the comm-nav equipment is up to par, also.
"We've got quite a few systems on the jets," she said. "Even though I had never done one of the inspections [for Rodeo competition], I feel good now that we've gone through two or three on our own."

Although the maintainers lack experience at the actual Rodeo competition, they don't lack confidence in their capabilities.

"I'm very confident that we'll come home with a trophy," said Airman Evans. "We've put in a lot of hard work, and I think it shows."

"We've got a lot of really great people on this team," added Airman Braithwaite. " ... a lot of hard workers. I'm pretty optimistic."

The maintenance team also shares a desire to enjoy this Rodeo experience.

"I'm excited," said Senior Airman Joshua Terry, a hydraulics specialist. "It's my first day on the team, but I feel really good so far. Everyone works hand-in-hand to get the jet ready."

From the newest team member to the most experienced veteran, the Rodeo team cohesion seems to be a key element in the competition preparation.

"I see these guys everyday, and we've been working really well together," Airman Terry said. "I think it'll help out in the competition. We know how one another works."

Overall, though, it seems to come down to shear job knowledge.

"We know how to read a T.O. [technical order]. If we can do that and show the right attitude doing it, we'll be fine," said Sergeant Abernathy. "I trust in our ability."

"I'm sure we'll win," said Staff Sgt. Alan Simmons, a instrument and flight controls specialist. "We know our jobs, and we know how to do them well."