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For the daily life of maintainers, getting called to work at a moment’s notice is routine. Not only are they specialists in aircraft maintenance, they are also specialists in dealing with the unexpected.
On March 8, Tech. Sgt. Lindsay Hallford, Senior Airman Nicole Merriss, and Airman First Class Ariel Houser, got the call to fly out of Ramstein Air Base, to perform maintenance on a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft that broke down at Crete Naval Base, Greece. The Maintenance Recovery Team was notified that they would be arriving in Greece on a C-130J within 24 hours. As usual, they were ready to go.
“We flew to Crete to repair a C-130J aircraft and make it mission capable again,” said Hallford, an aerospace propulsion C-130J engine mechanic. “We had to remove and replace the affected propeller assembly.”
The team arrived at the naval station’s flight line just before dawn, and wasted no time getting to work. The hours rolled by as the maintainers worked into the night, overcoming unforeseen obstacles and adapting with precision and skill.
“The aircraft is equipped with an anti-ice system that keeps ice from forming on the propeller in cold and icy conditions. The number one propeller on the aircraft had an anti-ice failure with wiring that had burned through the bottom of one of the propeller blades,” described Hallford.
Replacing the C-130J propeller was no small feat. The replacement propeller had to be precisely placed back onto the aircraft while hanging from an industrial crane. The utmost care was required while handling such a massive and integral part of the aircraft.
“The most satisfying part of my job is surpassing my limits,” said Houser, an aerospace propulsion apprentice. “Maintenance isn’t something that comes very easy to me, so being able to accomplish new tasks and learn new information about the work I do makes me feel more a part of the team,” Houser continued.
The responsibility of the maintainers stationed at the 86th Airlift Wing is crucial. Without maintainers, military aircraft would have a much harder time leaving the ground, let alone, staying in flight.
“Knowing that you had a part in getting a crew to or from their mission really puts the importance of maintenance into perspective,” said Hallford.
Swapping out the propellers on the C-130J at Crete was not just about the plane, it was about the Airmen on that plane, who needed the plane repaired so they could return home. The maintenance crew was the determining factor on how soon the Airmen aboard could see their families again.
“The most satisfying part of my job is seeing the planes I work on fly,” said Merriss, an aerospace propulsion journeyman who specializes in working on C-130J engines.
The following morning, after only 15 hours had passed from their initial arrival in Greece, the MRT was able to partake in the most satisfying part of their job. They watched from the flight line perimeter as the propellers on the C-130J roared to life, moving in perfect motion. To them it was just another day, but to the untrained eye, what they had accomplished was significant.
Fixing the C-130J aircraft and ensuring that other fellow Airmen could return home, was a great way for the MRT to spend international women’s day, March 8.
“The most empowering part of working in this male dominated career field is finding that my identity as a female doesn’t hinder my ability to outperform the guys,” stated Merriss. “I have only found acceptance and respect in this career field so far. At the end of the day, the guys just want to work with someone who is competent and hardworking which is exactly what I am.”
Hallford, Houser and Merriss were all asked what advice they would give to young women wanting to enter a male dominated career field.
“My advice for a young girl aspiring to be in a male dominated career field? Male dominated schmale dominated! Forget about gender,” Merriss advised. “Focus on your goal and go after it like your life depends on it. There’s no invisible glass ceiling holding you back. The only thing that’s keeping you from reaching your goals is you.”
Hallford echoed similar sentiments, “Focus on your training, your technical expertise, your work ethic and your professionalism. The rest will fall into place and you will quickly realize that it doesn’t matter if you are the only woman or 1 of 50 women.”
“I would tell [young women] that thick skin goes a long way,” said Houser. “Maintenance for example, is a culture of its own. There are going to be days that make you question what the heck you are doing — but let’s be honest, I think we experience that in almost any career field. If this is what you want, go for it. Put in the hard work and reap the rewards.”
With the mission done, the team loaded the aircraft and headed back home to Germany. In the end it was just another day in the life of an aircraft maintainer.
