BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Staff Sgt. William Reibsome, 455th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron F-16 aircraft maintainer, keeps Bagram’s F-16 fighter aircraft in the air by performing routine maintenance on the aircraft as well as running tests and changing out tires periodically to keep missions and sorties going. In the event of an in-flight emergency or ground emergency, Reibsome and his team perform quick recovery repairs to get the aircraft back to flying status so it can accomplish its air tasking order missions.
“From the time the fighters take off to the time they are back on the ground, we’re right there making sure they’re always ready to go,” Reibsome said. “My team and I make sure we have airpower at all times. It’s a good feeling knowing that what we do for a living every day better protects the United States and its allies.”
Reibsome is part of the “1000s of Hands” of 455th AEW Airmen who are critical to the wing’s mission to generate and sustain airpower on the combat frontier of Afghanistan for NATO’s Resolute Support mission and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. The “1000s of Hands” project highlights Vulture Airmen who have a hand in delivering a blanket of steel, technology and courage to protect the force in the field and support Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.