Wheel and tire shop keeps mission rolling

Published April 2, 2012
By Senior Airman Michael Charles
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- With all of the technological advances to aircraft over the years, it is easy to overlook one of its most basic instruments. This part has been around since the days of the Neanderthal and because of its constant use it requires much more attention--the wheel.

The 379th EMXS Wheel and Tire shop spends countless hours making sure each tire can endure the stresses of supporting the installation's inventory of aircraft.

Although sometimes overlooked, proper wheel and tire maintenance is important to making sure the mission continues, said Senior Master Sgt. Teri Crispi, 379th EMXS Wheel and Tire Shop flight chief.

"An airplane can't take off or land without tires," said Crispi. "If this small group of people didn't do what they do the mission would be greatly impacted."

The installation wheel and tire shop supports forward operating locations throughout Southwest Asia, said Staff Sgt. Michael Trotter, 379th EMXS wheel and tire shop technician.

"The wheel and tire shop here is able to provide that much need maintenance for all airframes in a centralized location--that's what makes it so important," said Trotter.

The crew of eight Airmen provides units with a full range of wheel and tires services for six different airframes including the F-16, C-130, KC-135, and B-1. These services include tire repair, wheel alignment and tire inflation. They also perform regular inspections on all the 379th AEW's aircraft.

"While other maintenance flights may be specific to one aircraft or one component, the wheel and tire shop touches every aircraft in Southwest Asia," said Crispi. "The processes that the wheel and tire shop go through to insure every aircraft's wheels are properly maintained and inspected is unparalleled."

Every day the wheel and tire shop receives batches of used tires that either needs to be repaired or inspected, said Senior Airman Tyler Blevins, 379th EMXS wheel and tire technician.

"We typically get about five to ten wheels a day," said Blevins. "That adds up to approximately 5,000 wheels a year that need maintenance and comes through the shop."

"As soon as we get wheels out of the shop more come in," Trotter added. "It's the nature of the business."

In order to inspect all of tires in a timely manner they work as a team. Each member splits into teams of two and begins the inspection process. Each section is critical to ensuring the tires can get the aircraft in the air and endure the pressure of landing on the runway after being exposed to high altitudes.

"We have a very tight-knit group," said Blevins. "Because there is so few of us, we are able to learn each other's strengths and weaknesses and split up accordingly to become more efficient."

"Our job is to get the tires in and out of maintenance as soon as possible," he added. "Without the tire, airplanes can't go anywhere and provide the crucial capability needed by the Airmen in the field."

First, each wheel is processed and logged for accountability before the bearing is pulled from the tire, breaking its seal. The tire is then checked for carbon build-up and washed.

Next, the wheel is bought to the inspection section where a group of Airmen thoroughly check every part of the wheel for cracks in the rubber, worn bearings or other deficiencies on the wheel. If the wheel is in good condition it is rebuilt and stored for return to the aircraft. Should the Airmen find any discrepancies in the wheel or bearing they will repair the tire. If the tire is not repairable, it is destroyed.

"If we can't repair thewheel assembly or if it is unserviceable, we will condemn the tire back to depot and make a brand new wheel," said Trotter. "Why risk putting a cracked tire on an aircraft and causing further damage or risking the safety of our pilots and crew?"

The wheel and tire shop is important to the safety of every aircraft. Each member knows that without proper maintenance of what most people would consider a minor part in an advanced aircraft, the mission and supporting service members could be put in harm's way.

"It gives you a sense of satisfaction to know that the job we do is critical to so many different missions being accomplished in combat and support operations," said Blevins. "We literally keep the mission rolling."