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Photo by Airman 1st Class John R. Wright
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Kendal “Wade” Roberson, 86th Maintenance Squadron hydraulic section chief, was recognized as Airlifter of the Week, Nov. 5.
A Heber Springs, Arkansas native, Roberson established an alternate C-130J Super Hercules aircraft carbon brake assembly overhaul process for the base, eliminating a nine-month backlog and saving the Air Force an estimated 1.4 million dollars in the first three months of its implementation. He also trained six 86th MXS members on the new process, making it possible for the team to upgrade and return 16 needed brakes to U.S. Air Forces Central Command and U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa areas of responsibility.
U.S. Air Force Col. Matt Husemann, 86th Airlift Wing vice commander, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ernesto J. Rendon, 86th AW command chief, visited the 86th MXS to congratulate Roberson on his accomplishments.
“General August is just enthralled with how you guys do things,” Husemann said. “How you guys take care of each other. How you take care of the airplanes. And in the end, that takes care of the Airmen that get onboard that airplane and takeoff.”
Exemplifying the core value of excellence, Roberson and his team also built Ramstein’s first test hose kit to improve C-130J suction boost pump operational check procedures. The kit aids in removing air from the hydraulic power system after a suction boost pump removal and installation.
“We can’t thank you enough for all the background work that you do,” Rendon said. “The lifeblood of our mission in the Airlifter world — really in the Air Force — is maintainers. Without good maintenance and Airmen that work so hard to be experts, there’s no way that we could do what we do for a living and execute what the Air Force has done for years.”
Roberson was also hand-selected to be a committee member for the 86th AW’s first Combined Federal Campaign-Overseas Charity Fair, and was the MXG lead for the CFC drive.
It was for all these accomplishments, collectively, that flight leadership nominated Roberson for Airlifter of the Week, said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Vincent Aguon, 86th MXS accessories flight chief.
Roberson said his motivation for the work he does is to help his Airmen grow, learn, and achieve success, so that the Air Force is more successful, efficient and cost-effective.
“I always like to find an easier way and something that makes sense in a dollar amount,” Roberson said. “Whoever I’m in charge of, I want them to be the best, so that is a huge driving factor for me. Awards don’t really drive me. I just want to better the Air Force, overall.”
The Airlifter of the Week program recognizes outstanding Airmen who demonstrate a high level of dedication to the job and support the 86th AW’s reputation as the “World’s Best Wing.”
