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Show piGHTER (COUNTRY Twice monthly 388th FighterWing April 20,1995 Motor medic helps wing maintain its own New operation will save the 388th money by repairing its vehicles in-hou- Currently, Peil can only perform limited minor maintenance because all the supplies he needs haven't arrived yet. He can change some lights and trouble shoot other problems. By the end of the month, Peil hopes to have the supplies needed to handle all the wing's oil changes and minor vehicle needs. "All the major work and annual inspections will still have to be sent to transportation," said Peil. In the world of today's Air Force, repair of vehicles makes sense. "We were paying for maintenance when we had our own mechanic," said Lt. Col. Gil VanWagner, se By SrA.J.C.Woodring StaffWriter Many people would cringe at the thought of doing 145 oil changes. For one senior airman in the 388th Fighter Wing it's becoming a way of life. Senior Airman Pete Peil, the maintenance liaison for the 388th Logistics Support Squadron, became the person in charge of all minor vehicle maintenance when the wing opened its "Motor Medic" building April 4. A cut cost-cutti- ng se LSS commander. Repairing the wing's vehicles internally will save $27,000 annually, funds that can now be used to buy tools or for quality of life improvements, VanWagner said. Making the change did not happen overnight. "It took a lot of w ork," said Peil, who's been working on the project since he arrived at Hill in May 1994. First, the base transportation squadron had to give permission for the wing to do their own repairs. Then, the squadron had to find a place to set it up. The base service sta tion had the answer. After the gas pumps went automated recently, their building freed up. The extra building is now the home of the Motor Medic. "The Fuels shop lets us use this building and it's perfect. We have two stalls and a lift. We couldn't ask for more," said Peil. The Motor Medic will save more than just money. "It'll save us time because we won't have to drive to the west side for repairs," said VanWagner. "We also have our own mechanic ready to get it right out." One doctor, the Motor Medic, still makes house calls. above Trophy awarded to 388thfs top performers By A I C Aimee Groben Jewkes, one of the maintenance winners w ho is superintendent of Munitions Training for the Maintenance Editor, Fighter Country Four people will get the thrill of a lifetime in an incentive ride this month. What did they do to deserve it? They are the winners of the 388th Fighter Wing's Maintenance Professional and Professional Provider of the Year. In a recognition ceremony April 8, SrA. Steven Holder and TSgt David Jewkes were awarded the Air Combat Commander's trophy for Maintenance Professionals of the Year. While SrA. Jim Haney and SSgt. Gregory Dodd were named the 388th s Professional Providers of the Year. This was the wing's 15th annual shindig, recognizing top performers in the maintenance and supply fields. "There is no more demanding competition or prestigious award for a maintaincr or supplier," said CMSgt. Michael Pattarozzi, the wing's senior enlisted advisor. "There was some really tough competition out there and all nominees should feel proud of themselves for making it that far," he said. The top maintainers were awarded for being a cut above. "It's recognition for being the best at what you do, and what you're paid to do," said CMSgt. Mike But Downey, Operations Group superintendent. F-1- 6 1 - jf X ;'L i A Doing things the right way is something the 388th's professional providers also take pride in. "It's important to recognize these folks and let them know Squadron, looks at it a little differently. "I just have a vision for the unit. I happen to they're doing a good job," said SMSgt Richard Amos, know that it takes a lifetime to learn all about munitions superintendent of the Wing Support Flight. 'These folks and building bombs, but it only takes a to are doing more with less and keeping the spare parts on kill somebody. We've got to do things right," he said. the shelves. They're always trying to see how they can His training philosophy? "I think of myself as a do it better," said Amos. One of the supply winners says he looks at keepguide, I tell them how to do it; I show them how to do it and then I let them do it. I don't want to bore people to ing those parts on the shelf as a personal challenge. death, I think they gain more from touch and feel. If "WTien somebody has a problem, they're reiving on me they just w atch w hat I'm doing I don't think they learn to find a cure or a part. That's important," said Haney who works in Supply Management for the Maintenance as much." Going above and beyond, Holder, a crew chief for Squadron. "I have a big advantage here; most people who do the same job as me don't get to see the results the 34th Fighter Squadron, has learned much since comI get to I in into 1990. of the job they do. Working in the back-sho- p Air the "When Force came into the ing I I see I do the how work affects Air Force basically knew where to put oil and gas," see the big picture; said Holder. everything else." The other top professional provider agrees, "What But he's come a long way from there; now he works aircraft and says he's kind of w do here is important," said Dodd, NCO in charge of on unusual because he really likes his job. "Except for Repair Cycle. "We really have to micro-manawhen it's real cold, it's great working outside and it's every part that comes through here to make sure w're keeping our fun working with the pilots. My job is always someit's and a said to Holder. me," challenge cycle times down. thing different, wrvneh-rumers, "We want to get the parts through here and to the As one of the wing's top he takes his job seriously. "There's a lot riding on what I do. depot as quick as we can so they can get them back out I'm proud of what I do and it doesn't matter if anybody into the maintaincr 's hands." I can go home and know I did Whether they're keeping spare parts on the shelves ever sees me doing it or with no best keeping the jets flying, this year's winners "take pride my regrets. in their job and they do it well," said Pattarozzi. "With"I never want to have to tell some pilot's wife and family I'm sorry your husband is dead because I didn't out them, the 388th wouldn't be the premiere fighter do my job the way I should have," said Holder. wing that it is." milli-seco- nd multi-million-dol- lar ge :' " ' . jfY'S 1 - - j - - Hkm by A1C Aiw Ootwa r,J.. ; 1 Making sure the jets are good to go. Holder, (at left), inspects the wheclwell one last time before launching. In order to ensure airmen know how to build a bomb the right way, Jewkes explains it, demonstrates and then let s them do it. 1 1 t . .. (at left) and Dodd agree that although they don't work on the jets directly, their job is important to maintaining them. Here, they both examine part and stock numbers making sure they match up correctly. Haney, |