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Show lQ)une 3,1999 ommander trams tor tan build up duty By 2nd Lt. Jason Mitchell 388th Maintenance Squadron The 388th Fighter Wing commander had the chance to participate in an initial tank build up class held in the 388th Maintenance Squadron fuel shop May 21 . "Tank build up is a program that was devised during a wartime situation," explains Senior Airman David Smith, 388th MXS fuel shop. When a pilot is flying a mission and engages in unexpected confrontation, he may have to release the external fuel tanks. These tanks will then have to be replaced," said Airman Smith. The augmentees taught to build. tanks come from maintenance, personnel, supply, and information management AFSCs from the logistics group. Col. Mike Hostage received a short briefing on the format of the class followed by some hands on work. He tightened the pylon ejector bolt on a wing tank and pressure checked the tank to make sure it is sealed properly. 370-gall- ::. .::::.-.::;'- : jr c5 CPIN IUU UHKS tit t Uti l "- tii i v; L f il I 4i "Or'' 4 ''-- ; on n Each wing tank has four sections, which include the center, nose, tail, and pylon. In real world missions tank production is a critical process for the pilots should they jettison their external fuel tanks. 370-gallo- "The training I received was superb," said Colonel Hostage. "I am confident that if called upon, I could be a full participant on a tank build up team." The 388th Maintenance Squadron Fuel Systems Repair Section is responsible for both the training and the build up of external fuel tanks for wartime taskings. Both the initial and refresher tank build up classes are conducted by Airman Smith. The initial class can take up to 10 days while the refresher class takes five days. Airmen Smith teaches four initial and five refresher classes each year. 11 f WSKTi? Photo by Master Sgt. James Brown Senior Airmen David Smith, 388th Maintenance Squadron fuel shop, shows Col. Mike Hostage, 388th Fighter Wing commander, how to safely wire a pylon ejector bolt. Colonel Hostage visited the fuel shop and received this training n in addition to learning procedures associated with checking a external tank. 370-gallo- Airmen Smith enjoys teaching the class because of the importance during Phase II exercises and in real world situ- ations. Phase II exercises require a 1 team to build nine 1 tanks in a period while the team normally averages 1 0 hours. 2-h- "If the tank build up team fails, the exercise fails and we can't complete missions," Airman Smith said, "We don't consistently build up tanks except in war time contengencies," said Colonel Hostage, "ft is important, however, that there are airmen trained to step up if the need does arise." Logistics group member seizes opportunity-prepare- s for upcoming pilot training class By Airman 1st Class Cindy I'm used to flying now," said Captain Enfield. Editor, Fighter Country "After graduating from UPT, I would like to fly fighter jets first, then move on to Huston Amember of the 388th Fighter Wing was notified May 18 he was selected to attend Undergraduate Pilot Training next fall. "I primarily joined the Air Force to become a pilot," said Capt. Matthew Enfield, 388th Logistics Group executive officer. According to the captain, this year was the second time he applied for this opportu- helicopters," he added. His match the enthusiasm shows towards the next chapCaptain Enfield ter of his Air Force career. "Captain Enfield is a good guy and everyone was just tickled to hear he was accepted for this opportunity," said Col. James Gutschenritter, 388th Logistics Group comco-work- ill ' , - t , $ fir mander. "He is an exceptionally hard worker who has overcome numerous challenges to get to this point," said the colonel. "I believe having worked on the maintenance side of the house, he will have a better understanding of the total picture once he completes the program." nity. "The first time I applied for this class was around 1 992-9- 3 but the Air Force was in the middle of a pilot drawdown," said Captain Enfield. "Bat times are lean for pilots now and more opportunities are opening up for people over the 27 and a half age limit to get waivers." Of course, as the doors of opportunity open up so do the feelings of excitement and the pressure of making it through the challenges that lay before him. "The biggest challenge for me is going MM b- rm. hum': mm v Capt. Matthew Enfield to be keeping up with the fast and crazy pace All of the adjustments will payoff in the of the class," said Captain Enfield. end, however when the captain steps into a Between the schoolwork, the flying high-spee- d fighter jet. schedule and the new life style it will take a "I'm looking forward to flying faster little bit to adjust to, he added. planes than the propeller style planes that is , ' Name: Lucas A. Dechant Rank: Airman 1st Class Job: munitions custody account monitor Unit: 388th Maintenance Squadron Hometown: Beaverton, Oregon Time in Service: 2 years Most recent accomplishment: got the 388th MXS munition flight i ; dormitory residents their own floor What would I change at Hill AFB: "I would like to see the different squadrons and shops become more team oriented." irriill.,r.1.-lh.l-inf- m irnin n there are three bases that conduct the training, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Columbus, AFB, Miss., and Vance, AFB, Okla. published for people like First place, small fj Although Captain Enfield won't find out where he'll train for several weeks, 1997 and 1998 Air e newspaper Combat Command Media Contest commercial-enterpris- Editorial Staff Col. Mike Hostage Capt. James R. Wilson Senior Airman Sara Banda Airman 1st Class Cindy Huston Commander Chief. Chief, : Public Affairs Community Relations Editor Fighter Country is a supplement to the Hilltop rimes, published by MorMedia, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Aflairs Office. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of Fighter Country are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U S Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. Fighter Country is edited, prepared and provided by the 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Offict S8R7 D. Ave., Suite 1 13, Hill AFB UT, 84056-501- 7. Story submissions for Fighter Country can be brought by the office, to the editor Deadline for submissions to Fighter cindy.Huston.hill.af.mil or fax to Country is no later than Monday, noon, two weeks prior to publication. For more information, call the public affairs office at 777 3200. |