434th Maintenance Group

My adventures as a Grissom Honorary Commander continued in September with a visit to the 434th Maintenance Group. This group has the mountainous task of maintaining and repairing the planes at Grissom Air Reserve Base.

From fabricating sheet metal to changing tires to replacing an engine, this crew does it all. They have machines to suck the nitrogen out of the air to fill tires, they have a giant drill press with bits that go up to 3″ in diameter, they even have jacks to lift a KC-135 off the ground.

We visited the nondestructive inspection unit, which is like a science lab for mechanics. They have all the fun toys. They can run all kinds of tests to determine the strength and conductivity of metals. They can do a magnetic particle inspection and use blacklight to find cracks in metal parts. Then they can use a microscopic camera to look at the cracks up close and determine whether they can be repaired. They also have a really cool machine that can test the makeup of oils and help them determine which part of the plane is breaking down and may need maintenance.

You never really think about all the work that goes into keeping these planes running and looking great. All those moving parts and instruments have to be working all the time. The KC-135s were made in the late 50s/early 60s and the 434th Maintenance Group keeps these planes running like new. Many of the parts are no longer manufactured, but this group can fabricate new parts or recycle old parts when needed. They have one amazing task, and they’re doing an amazing job.

At the end of the day, we took a detour to the new $7.5 million air traffic control tower. Wow! It is beautiful and a much-needed upgrade from the old tower. It is amazing to look out those windows at the airfield. We had a great opportunity to walk out on the catwalk just as a KC-135 was coming in for a landing, and we watched it taxi in just a couple hundred yards away. Another awesome day at Grissom!

Grissom 434th Maintenance Group

Teeny tiny drill bit, giant humongo drill bit

Fabricated metal parts

Machine shop

Staff Sgt. Shawn Cherty, 434th Maintenance Squadron metals technology specialist, shows us some of the machines in the shop.

Using an ultrasound machine to test metals

Wheels get repaired, shined up and reused to save cost

Grissom’s new $7.5 million air traffic control tower

About to watch a plane land from 9 stories up at Grissom’s new air traffic control tower

Watching a KC-135 land from atop Grissom’s new air traffic control tower

Kahuna Henge!

Grissom Honorary Commanders: Marine Reserves

I traveled up to Grissom for the Marine Reserves’ drill weekend in March and saw these dedicated young men and women hard at work preparing for a large exercise coming up this summer. The Reserves unit at Grissom is a support unit, providing tactical communications support. They set up radio networks, construct antennas, and assemble all of the hardware necessary for a secure communications network.

What’s most amazing about the Reserves is that they only meet one weekend a month. In that one weekend, they have to do their physical fitness tests, fill out any paperwork, take classes and do all of their hands-on training drills. They have very little time to learn and practice new skills before they’re put to the test at their large exercise.

To make things even harder, supplies are often limited. The Marines performing maintenance on the humvees didn’t have oil to put in the trucks, so some of them were completely out of commission until they get oil. I followed the commander, Major Mathes, around the building in pursuit of helmets for a group of Marines to properly and safely do their drill. Eventually, we scrounged up enough.

I really enjoyed spending the day with the Marine Reserves and Major Mathes. It’s a great group of men and women who like to chat and joke around but can really get down to serious business.

Marine Reserves build an antenna

Major Mathes talks to an instructor about safety equipment

Marine Reserves work to straighten out an antenna

Marine Reserves work on a radio

Reserves take classes on software that can be used in the field

Grissom Honorary Commanders: 434th ARW Operations Group

On March 16, the Grissom Honorary Commanders were invited to check out the 434th ARW Operations Group on base. Ops Group Commander Colonel Chris Amend showed us the air traffic control center and the KC-135 flight simulator on base.

We spent the morning visiting with the expert air traffic control folks at RAPCON (Radar Approach Control) and had the chance to guide some planes to a safe landing in the ATC tower simulator. Grissom controls all air traffic up to 10,000 feet from central Indiana to Chicago. They saw a huge increase in air traffic for the Super Bowl in February but of course handled it with ease.

In the afternoon, we were in for a special treat with the opportunity to take the controls in the cockpit of the KC-135 flight simulator. It was amazing to sit in that pilot’s seat, looking out at the runway at Pearl Harbor, and lift a plane up off the ground and over the harbor. Being 8 months pregnant at the time, I opted to do my simulation without the motion, but with it on, that machine tilts back far enough to throw you back in your seat.

It was amazing how much muscle power it takes to steer the plane and bank it left and right. But once he switched on the autopilot, it’s just a matter of tapping a button. The real fun part was learning how to land. But with expert guidance from our instructor, I kept an eye on the gauges, lined up with the runway and landed her safely on the ground.

I am so honored to be part of this Honorary Commanders program and have the opportunity for these rare experiences.

In the pilot's seat of the KC-135 Flight Simulator

Landing a plane in the KC-135 Flight Simulator

Honorary Commanders visit KC-135 flight simulator (U.S. Air Force photo)

ATC Simulator

Grissom RAPCON

New Grissom Air Traffic Control Tower to open summer 2012

Honorary Commander for Grissom Air Reserve Base

Last Sunday, I took my oath as an honorary commander for Grissom Air Reserve Base. I was one of seven selected for this awesome program, which provides community leaders with a rare, inside look at the base, its mission and its hard-working people. It’s one of the best military base community outreach programs in our country.

Each honorary commander is matched with key commanders at Grissom. I will be working with the Marine Corps Reserve on base, taking a look at the life of a Marine, learning more about the history of the Marines, and witnessing them in action. I’m excited to get to know these hard-working individuals as I interact with them throughout the year.

In addition to my focus with the Marine Reserves, I also get opportunities to learn about other units at Grissom as all seven commanders will come together several days throughout the year for activities in each command post. The one I’m looking forward to the most is the KC-135 refueling flight. I already had the chance to do this in August 2010, but it was such an exhilarating experience to see two planes connect at 30,000 feet that I can’t wait to do it again.

Stay tuned to keep up with my year as a Grissom Honorary Commander!

Col. William "Tim" Cahoon, 434th Air Refueling Wing commander, speaks at Honorary Commanders Induction Ceremony

Honorary Commanders take oath of office

Receiving my Honorary Commander certificate from Col. Cahoon

Grissom Marine Corps Reserve Honorary Commander

Honorary commanders take oath today – 2/12/2012

Grissom’s honorary commanders: Part 1 – 2/16/2012

Grissom’s honorary commanders: Part 2 – 2/16/2012