LOA expands knowledge, learns from coalition forces Published Sept. 10, 2008 By Capt. David Breuer 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron SOUTHWEST ASIA -- As part of the Logistics Officers Association, 1st Lt. Grace Miller is always on the lookout for ways to expand the professional knowledge base of her local chapter. The most recent opportunity to do this took the form of a trip to the busiest aerial port of debarkation in Southwest Asia. Lieutenant Miller is the officer in charge of a detachment of C-17 aircraft maintainers. Her detachment reports to the 5th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron. The 5th EAMS is unique in that it handles the greatest throughput of passengers and cargo of any station in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Also unique is the fact that roughly 80 percent of the traffic comes by way of commercial contractors. Maintainers from the 386th Expeditionary Maintenance Group and the 386th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron received a rare chance to see how their host nation contends with their own challenges. On a tour led by John Delaney, a maintenance manager, officers were able to see the operation of several maintenance back shops. They also got to tour an Air Force L-100 aircraft. The L-100 is a commercial variant of the C-130 Hercules. It has a leaner avionics package than the C-130, but also has some physical differences, such as internally mounted spare tires and a stretched cargo compartment. "It was interesting to see the methods the [host nation] uses to contend with several of the same challenges that we deal with here, such as parts availability, tool control and maintenance documentation," said Lt. Col. Al Bello, 386th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander and president of the LOA chapter here. The differences in maintenance practices also proved to be interesting to members of the tour. "Some things in maintenance are the same, and some things we saw were very different," said 1st Lt. David Marques, Silver Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge. "Differing priorities and parts funding made for a challenging work environment." Mr. Delaney has served at the port since 1991, when he was an airframe and power plant certified technician. He and his wife, who also works in the local area, decided to make their home here and have never looked back. "Experiences such as this serve to broaden the horizons of our logistics officer corps," said Col. Herb Phillips, 386th EMXG commander. "It gives them a strong base on which to base future operational decisions, as well as strengthen the ties of friendship with our host nation. We hope to have at least two of these type exchange tours for each [air expeditionary force] rotation."