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380AEW Article

Maintainers extend the battle against ISIL

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz
  • U.S. Air Forces Central Command Public Affairs

Fly, fight and win. Those words are etched throughout Air Force history, earned from countless sorties flown in combat operations around the globe. Today, we continue to fly, fight and win in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE.

Nearly every OIR mission requires support from tanker aircraft to put munitions on target. Those tanker aircraft, like the KC-10 Extender, can’t reach the fight if they aren’t maintained to the highest standard.

Every Extender undergoes inspection, which ensures essential parts are operational to include hydraulics systems, alternating current and direct current systems, landing gear, systems, fire protection, generators, air condition and heating and oxygen systems.

“We conduct pre-flight, post-flight and thru-flight inspections on the KC-10,” said Staff Sgt. Michael, Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, crew chief. “Each inspection is extensive and a little different, but they all make sure the airframe is ready for the next sortie and able to support others in the air.”

Measuring at just over 181 feet in length with a wingspan of 165 feet, it takes approximately three to four hours to complete inspection and fix minor repairs on the aircraft. The Extender requires several specialized maintainers to ensure its mission ready. 

The crew chiefs do a lot of the basic maintenance on the aircraft; we take care of a lot of the internal and external pieces that make the jet operational,” said Tech. Sgt. Samantha, Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, electrical and environmental technician.

“It’s exciting to troubleshoot problems that we’re not used to seeing. I love digging in to the systems and seeing how things are interconnected, learning about things you never thought went together,” she added.

According to the KC-10 Extender fact sheet, it is an advanced tanker and cargo aircraft designed to provide increased global mobility for U.S. armed forces. It can refuel fighters and simultaneously carry passengers and palletized cargo.

It’s a multifunctional aircraft; we can move an entire aircraft maintenance unit from one location to another,” said Staff Sgt. Michael. “We can refuel 6 fighters and haul 75 personnel and their support equipment across country. We can do it all at once instead of using multiple airplanes.

The KC-10 Extender is a force multiplier equipped with an aerial boom, hose and drogue centerline refueling system capable of resupplying U.S. armed forces and allied aircraft. It can carry 356,000 pounds of fuel. Without maintainers providing round the clock support to the Extender, aircraft wouldn’t be able to refuel or make it to the fight.

“One of the most important parts of this aircraft is the boom, which can pass 1,100 gallons of fuel per minute to other aircraft,” said Staff Sgt. Michael. “We have to make sure that all the hardware and parts are still intact and that nothing is corroded or broken. That boom is the reason others can get to the engagement.”

The ability to maintain and keep tankers in the air like the Extender has enabled coalition forces to drop over 4,000 weapons on ISIL targets.

Maintaining such a critical aircraft may be a large task to accomplish, but the hard work put in by the men and women has maintained their pride and esprit de corps.

Everybody’s job is important; we need everyone to get the aircraft off the ground,” said Tech. Sgt. Samantha. “It’s one of the most challenging airframes I’ve worked on since I’ve been in. It keeps me on my toes. We can do so much more than any other platform in the Air Force. I have a lot of pride in my aircraft. I love it.”

 (Editor’s note: Due to safety and security reasons, last names and unit designators were removed.)