6th Maintenance Group

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katherine B. Holt
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MacDill AFB, Fl --  A NASCAR driver pulls into the pit; he has seconds left to get back on the road before he loses his spot in the race. The prize and the glory rely on his pit crew to make all needed adjustments and repairs swiftly and accurately. On a bigger scale, the men and women of the 6th Maintenance Group are like that diligent pit crew making sure the KC 135 stays in the fight.

The 6th MXG consists of three squadrons: the 6th Maintenance Squadron, the 6th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron and the 6th Maintenance Operations Squadron.

Together, their mission is to provide aircraft maintenance and munitions storage management in support of worldwide air refueling, training, airlift and special assignment missions for U.S. and allied forces. They deliver timely global deployment, contingency operations and direct airlift to all major combatant commanders.

""The 6th Maintenance Groups' responsibilities cover a vast range of missions flown/supported from MacDill ," said Col. James Howe, 6th Maintenance Group Commander. " While primarily focused on KC-135 air refueling maintenance operations, the group also is focused on several support missions one of which is munitions storage area operations in support of the Air Combat Command Deployed Unit Complex and their Close Air Support training of our mission partners in Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Command."

The 6th MXS is responsible for the in-depth maintenance. They perform periodic inspections and aircraft refurbishment. They are responsible for 262 pieces of aerospace ground equipment. 6th MXS consists of 170 maintenance and civilian personnel spanning 17 specialties. In the past year they have supported multiple operations and exercises in 24 locations and deployed more than 5,103 days.

"We have the privilege of ensuring the long term health of our 50-year-old KC-135s through major inspections and maintenance like the Periodic Inspection," said Maj. James Alonzo, 6th MXS squadron commander. "Our dedication to quality maintenance and attention to detail ensures the safe operation of the aircraft between 18 month, 1,800 flying hour major inspections."

All the squadrons in the 6th MXG work closely together. The 6th AMXS works hand in hand with the 6th MXS.

"Our squadron plays a vital role in the day to day refueling mission," said Maj. Emily Farkas, 6th AMXS commander. "If we don't do our duty properly and safely, the mission wouldn't happen."

The 6th AMXS provides on-equipment maintenance to include launch, recovery, servicing, inspection and repair of 16 assigned KC-135R/T aircraft. They support annual flying schedule of over 2,800 sorties and 11,000 flying hours. They mobilize and deploy personnel and equipment in support of worldwide aerial refueling, airlift and aero medical evacuation operations.

"Every task accomplished on this aircraft, regardless of how small, could determine the success or failure of a mission, said Maj. Farkas. "We follow technical orders and safe procedures to ensure we provide safe and reliable aircraft for our internal customers, the crew members, who in turn support our external customers, the war fighters."

Working behind the scenes is the 6th MOS. Though this squadron does not get the same publicity as 6th MXS or 6th AMXS, their job is equally important to ensure mission success. They provide administrative, financial, training, facility, computer network, mobility readiness and quality assurance support for a deployable maintenance group in support of aerial refueling, airlift and aero medical evacuation operations. 6th MOS directs analysis, scheduling, engine management and monitors aircraft maintenance for 16 KC-135s.

6th MXG doesn't work alone. In fiscal year 2008, they accelerated the stand up of the 927th Air Refueling Wing by five months adding 750 hours and 200 missions to the flying hour program.

"I am extremely proud and privileged to command such a great unit of dedicated maintainers and support personnel," said Colonel Howe. " They make their staggering hard work and contribution to the mission look easy."

In any weather at any hour, members of 6th MXG work diligently on and off the flight line to get flights in the air and keep the mission going.