Reserve maintainers complete mission despite adversity

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Minnette Mason
  • 926th Group public affairs
During a recent temporary duty assignment to Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., three reservists "made something out of nothing" when their supplies and equipment were held over in Hawaii.

Senior Master Sgt. Brunin, Master Sgt. Kelley and Tech. Sgt. Patterson were the only maintainers from the 926th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron who participated in the dissimilar air combat training, or DACT, exercise that took place in Holloman last month.

The maintenance team was at Holloman AFB for only a short period of time before the aircrew would continue the mission onto Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Prior to arriving at Holloman, however, the team was notified that their only set of supplies and equipment were still in Hawaii aboard an aircraft, where it was loaded for use during a previous mission. The aircraft, which was then declared non-serviceable, was supposed to arrive at Holloman, where the team would obtain their supplies and equipment.

With a mission full of sorties ahead of them, the team had no choice but to become resourceful and work closely with the maintenance units at Holloman, Sergeant Brunin said.

"It was the first-ever TDY in an F-15 unit [here] that the majority of the leadership were reservists," Sergeant Brunin added. "We flew all 52 scheduled lines and gave out three incentive rides."

Through the Air Force's Total Force Integration initiative, the 926th AMXS provides continuity and expertise to its Regular Air Force counterparts within the 57th Maintenance Group. Full-time and part-time reservists work alongside their RegAF counterparts to accomplish the mission.

Sergeant Brunin is an Air Reserve Technician serving as the production superintendent with the 926th AMXS. Through TFI, he's also integrated as a production superintendent, or "pro-super," in the Flanker Aircraft Maintenance Unit. He is responsible for providing safe and reliable aircraft to execute test, tactics and training missions for the 57th Wing.

As a pro-super, Sergeant Brunin orchestrates all the maintenance operations within his AMU. Then, expeditors, such as Master Sgt. Kelley and Tech. Sgt. Patterson, direct appropriate manpower and resources to execute the pro-super's plan.

"We set priorities on what needs to get fixed, and then we assign personnel and equipment [to each aircraft]," Sergeant Kelley explained.

Sergeant Kelley has been with the squadron serving as an ART since May 2009. Through TFI, he is also a member of the Flanker AMU. This mission was the first DACT exercise where Sergeant Kelley had the opportunity to participate, he said.

"We worked with the [units at Holloman] to borrow tools they use for the F-22, T-38 and F-4 aircraft," Sergeant Kelley said.

Although challenging, the lack of equipment and tools didn't affect the "positive attitude" everyone had during the mission, Sergeant Patterson said.

"No one panicked," she added. "It was nice and smooth because everyone took care of everyone."

Sergeant Patterson is an Active Guard and Reserve member who's been with 926th AMXS since August 2008. Prior to her current position, she served as a crew chief on several cargo jets, including the KC-135 and C-141. She also had previous experience working with the F-15 and F-16 fighter jets.

"When your team is stacked with Sergeant Kelley and Sergeant Patterson, you're never really in any danger. Those two are the best expediters I have worked with in almost 20 years of service," Sergeant Brunin said.

However, the entire team's successful efforts did not go unnoticed, according to Maj. Egbalic, 926th AMXS commander.

"Not surprisingly, the [57th Adversary Tactics Group] and [57th Maintenance Group] commanders commended all members of this trip," he said.

As the production superintendent and expeditors of the mission, all three maintainers were in the lead positions to ensure a total of six F-15s from Nellis AFB were mission-ready at all times. Aircraft maintenance personnel, including Regular Air Force members, relied on their guidance and direction when it came time to perform a job.

"It was my first TDY with an active duty unit since moving over to the ART program 10 years ago. It was also my first-ever TDY as a lead supervisor," Sergeant Brunin said.

"Before we left, I couldn't help but think, 'Man, if you mess this one up, you might as well start packing your bags to some remote area at the South Pole, for your never going to feel the sun again!,'" he added, with a smile.

In addition to scrounging for equipment and supplies, Sergeant Brunin said they had to coordinate with the Eagle Aircraft Maintenance Unit here to get a jet engine delivered to Holloman. They also arranged to have the equipment and supplies diverted directly to Hill AFB to ensure a more efficient mission for the aircrew.

"I honestly couldn't have asked any more out of all my maintainers. Everyone was great and professional. There was no 'active duty' or 'Reserve' mentality; we were one team, one fight. It was a great experience for myself and TFI," Sergeant Brunin said.