KC-135 getting tow bar hooked up

Master Sgt. Robert Ahern, a 137th Air Refueling Wing crew chief, left, and Airman 1st Class Mykal Short, a 507th Air Refueling Wing ISO Dock crew chief, hook up a tow bar and make sure the sheer pin is installed to be able to tow a KC-135 Stratotanker to the trim pad for engine runs. The 137th ARW, an Oklahoma Air National Guard unit, is a partner unit with the 507th ARW. The Airmen of both units work side-by-side to ensure the planes are well-maintained for mission capability. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

KC-135 being towed for engine testing

Tech. Sgt. Casey Ray operates the brakes on a KC-135 Stratotanker while it is being towed by Master Sgt. Robert Ahern (in the truck) to the trim pad to undergo engine runs. Staff Sgt. Vincent Peralta, walking, supervises the towing to ensure that all goes smoothly and safely. All three Airmen are crew chiefs with the 137th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. (Air Force photo by Kelly White)

Mechanics, pilots carry out missions together

Published March 11, 2013
By Brandice J. O'Brien
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Unlike other base units, pilots and aircraft mechanics with the 507th and 137th Air Refueling Wings have a unique relationship. Oftentimes, when a KC-135 Stratotanker is in the air, at least one mechanic is with the jet he maintains.

A tradition carried from the Army Air Forces and days of World War II, the task is necessary for the aging KC-135s.

"I see too much where people think the Air Force is all about the pilots. A lot of times, I think they forget there's a lot of people behind the scenes who make these things get in the air," said Tech. Sgt. Jeff "JD" Nash, 507th ARW crew chief. "Without us, they don't have anything to fly. It's give and take."

Roughly three to five times a month, two to three mechanics -- including crew chiefs, engine and/or avionics specialists -- will accompany the jet. Their responsibilities are to refuel the aircraft, carry out pre- and post-flight inspections and stay on top of any issues -- bird strikes and worn tires -- that might occur during the flight.

"We may or may not land at a base that has personnel there who are qualified to inspect our aircraft," said Senior Master Sgt. John Nugent, 507th ARW Production superintendent.

Sergeant Nash said it's not uncommon to land at a fighter base where personnel know little about tankers.

The most common challenges the crew run into with these missions are logistical issues -- arranging fuel stops and parking.

It's a job the mechanics take seriously.

"This is a 200,000-pound aircraft with 80,000 pounds of gas going up in the air and I have three lives who depend on me at a minimum every day it leaves the ground," Sergeant Nash said. "That's not to mention what we fly over every day. If one of these goes down, it can make a big smoking hole in the ground. We take this very seriously and very personally."

Overall, the relationship between the mechanics and pilots is a respected and well-revered one. There are challenges and occasional disagreements, but the relationships as a whole are strong.

"We're usually on a first-name basis. Most of us are pretty good friends and we trust each other," said Maj. Mark Povec, KC-135 pilot and 465th Air Refueling Squadron chief of Current Operations. "Even though there's the officer-enlisted separation, you still want to be friends with them so you can build a trust with them and know they've taken care of the aircraft we're borrowing from them."