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ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam – Air Force maintainers are facing a critical challenge: retaining experienced personnel vital to keeping the nation’s air fleet operational, as highlighted during the Department-Level Exercise (DLE) series currently underway at Andersen Air Force Base.The exercise, involving units from dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas, underscores the dedication of seasoned technicians but also reveals a growing concern over the loss of expertise within the maintenance corps.
Staff Sgt. Fredrick Crowl, a flying crew chief with the 19th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Little Rock AFB, exemplifies the dedication required. He and his team are responsible for the rigorous inspection, repair, and planning of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft supporting the DLE. The DLE series, wich began July 1st and is scheduled to conclude July 31st, involves over 3,000 Airmen and focuses on enhancing joint operational capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
Crowl’s colleague, Staff Sgt. Kyle Mack, also a flying crew chief, emphasized the satisfaction derived from their work. “It’s really rewarding when we fix these planes,” Mack said. “You see that pilot give you a nice thumbs-up like ‘yeah we’re ready, let’s go.'”
Mack, Crowl, and another maintainer, Staff Sgt. Lilly (last name not provided), collectively bring approximately 19 years of C-130 maintenance experience to the DLE. The majority of the C-130 maintenance personnel deployed to Guam for the exercise possess a similar level of experience, reflecting a intentional effort to deploy highly skilled technicians.
“Everyone out here is pretty well-rounded,” Mack said. “We try to bring out guys that have a good amount of experience.”
Tho, retaining these experienced noncommissioned officers (NCOs) is proving increasingly difficult, according to Maj. Sarah Hummel, the 19th AMXS maintenance flight chief. “A lot of our NCO corps are either getting out of the air Force altogether or are getting pulled for special duties, and that takes away a critical portion of what makes maintenance triumphant-that leadership on the flight line,” she explained. “We need that experience.” The Air Force is currently facing a shortfall of approximately 400 aircraft maintenance personnel across all platforms, according to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office.
This concern is echoed beyond the 19th AM